The Right Start Inc. Surpasses $1 Million in Online Sales and Launches New Kids Development Store
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 1999--The Right Start Inc. (Nasdaq:RTST) today announced that its online subsidiary, Rightstart.com, has achieved the important early milestone of $1 million in e-commerce revenues in less than 90 days from its launch on June 29, 1999.
"Few Web retailers can claim to have generated $1 million of sales in less than 90 days of launch, and we are very excited about the initial results of Rightstart.com," said Jerry R. Welch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"Further, our sales continue to grow rapidly and we are particularly pleased that these initial sales have been generated primarily through customer referrals from the 45 Right Start retail stores rather than through extensive advertising efforts."
The Company attributed the early success of Rightstart.com to the implementation of uniquely customer-friendly service policies for the Internet, combined with the use of The Right Start's retail store network. Rightstart.com customer service policies include free shipping and handling, free gift wrap, same-day shipping of orders and the ability to return merchandise to The Right Start retail stores.
During the next 30 days, Rightstart.com also will add live, online customer help to its impressive list of customer service policies.
"We believe that the fast ramp-up in sales for Rightstart.com demonstrates the power of an aggressive click and mortar strategy, combined with world-class customer service," noted Welch. "To date, our marketing efforts have primarily been focused on informing our retail store customers of the launch of Rightstart.com through the use of extensive in-store signage and coupons.
"Within a few weeks, we will inform our catalog customers of Rightstart.com when our Fall/Holiday catalog is mailed to them. Additionally, in October we will initiate an extensive media advertising campaign in major urban markets. These activities should further boost sales in the upcoming holiday season."
In addition, Rightstart.com announced the launch of its Kids Development Store for children ages three to six at its Web site, www.rightstart.com. The Kids Development Store will feature developmental toys, books, videos, music and software targeted for children in the preschool and kindergarten years.
Also, The Kids Development Store will offer an Ask The Teacher section so that parents can get answers to important early child development questions from an accredited, working preschool teacher.
Welch added: "The addition of The Kids Development Store on Rightstart.com was a natural vertical extension for us. We felt the needs of our customers with children in the three-to-six age range were not being served well on the Internet. Accordingly, through Rightstart.com we are now able to offer all the developmental products needed for kids up to age six." |
