Cost Plus World Market Joins Forces With Novica

National Retailer Expands Company’s Unique and Affordable Offerings

Oakland, CA — November 27, 2006 — Cost Plus World Market (NASDAQ: CPWM), a leading retailer of casual home living and entertaining products, today announced that the company will begin featuring an exclusive collection of merchandise from Novica, a National Geographic associated company and internet retailer that sells products handmade by master artisans around the globe. Cost Plus World Market will feature these Novica-branded items in select stores around the United States beginning this month.

“Our customers have always viewed our stores as a one-stop shopping destination that features unique products from all over the world,” said Gail Fuller, Senior Vice President of Brand Management for Cost Plus World Market. “Our relationship with Novica not only expands the number of products we can offer our customers, but also expands the number of countries we will now be connected to. Novica’s philosophy that connects customers to artisans from around the globe is perfectly aligned with our mantra of One World, One Store.”

Cost Plus World Market and Novica’s relationship increases exposure for crafts and master artisans worldwide to help bring their stories, and handmade treasures, to market. Featured Novica items that will be available in Cost Plus World Market stores include handmade vases inspired by the Shipibo tribe of Peru, hand painted mirrors featuring Asian inspired techniques that made their way to South America in the 1500s, and a Tree of Life that combines Andean traditions with biblical legends to bring customers a beautiful expression of ceramic work.

“This new presence within Cost Plus World Market stores brings an even greater emphasis to Novica’s mission of aiding artisans and preserving traditional arts,” said Roberto Milk, Co-founder and CEO of Novica. “We’re excited about the synergistic missions of Cost Plus World Market and Novica, particularly because this new relationship will have a material impact on the livelihood of thousands of participating artisans around the world.”

About Novica

Novica, in association with National Geographic, offers more than 20,000 limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Unlike traditional retail channels, Novica works directly with artists and artisans through its seven international sourcing and shipping offices. Novica was founded in 1999 with the mission of aiding artisans and preserving ancient craft traditions. Novica is headquartered in Los Angeles.

About Cost Plus World Market

Cost Plus World Market operates 286 stores in 35 states under the names “World Market” and “Cost Plus World Market.” The stores feature an ever-changing selection of casual home furnishings, housewares, gifts, decorative accessories, over 500 international wine varietals, gourmet foods and beverages offered at affordable prices and are imported from more than 50 countries. Many items are unique and exclusive to Cost Plus World Market. All are regularly supplied by an international network of individual and regional artisans developed over the Company’s nearly 50 years in the import business. The value, breadth and continual refreshment of products invite customers to come back throughout a lifetime of changing home furnishings and entertaining needs.

Contact:
Cost Plus, Inc.
Jill Osaka
(510) 808-9319
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