(COMTEX) B: EToys To Partner With the Gap
B: EToys To Partner With the Gap
NEW YORK, Nov 02, 1999 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Online retailer eToys
and the children's divisions of the Gap will join forces this holiday
season in a marketing partnership that will promote both companies'
products on the Internet and at traditional stores.
The agreement, which is expected to be announced today, brings together
two of the best-known merchants of kids' goods. It also lets both
retailers complement their businesses with products that they don't
sell themselves.
EToys, the leading online merchant for toys, also sells books, music,
software and baby supplies. It operates exclusively on the Internet.
BabyGap and GapKids stores are popular among youngsters and their
parents for their trendy, yet affordable fashions. The Gap has also
excelled on the Internet, adapting easily to selling on the Web unlike
many of its brick-and-mortar rivals.
The partnership comes amid expectations of a very strong holiday season
for merchants selling both toys and clothes.
According to market research firm The NPD Group, 24 percent of online
shoppers plan to buy clothes online this year, up from 15 percent a
year ago. About 23 percent plan to buy toys online, up from 11 percent
in 1998.
While expectations are high, the competition on the Internet is fierce
and many merchants are stepping up their marketing efforts in an
attempt to woo customers to their Web sites.
EToys has been particularly aggressive with its promotions. Last month,
it launched a new national advertising campaign and recently announced
a children's literacy campaign with celebrity Rosie O'Donnell called
'Rosie's Readers.'
One of its big rivals, Toysrus.com, announced Monday that it would be
an anchor tenant on America Online.
Under the eToys partnership -- which will be called 'Holiday Get
Together' -- the companies will cross-promote their goods and services
on their Web sites and at the GapKids and babyGap stores.
Those consumers who spend $75 at GapKids or babyGap -- online or at the
stores -- will get a $10 gift certificate to eToys. Similarly,
customers who spend $75 at eToys get a $10 gift certificate to GapKids
or babyGap.
The online promotions begin today and will run through Dec. 15, while
the in-store promotion will be from Nov. 11 to Nov. 28. All the gift
certificates, however, are good through Dec. 31. |
