SERVICE MERCHANDISE LAUNCHES WHOLE NEW LOOK ON THE INTERNET
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 1998--
New graphics and eight-world format mean
easier on-line shopping and navigating
With the redesign of its popular Internet site, Service Merchandise Company has made it even easier for customers to shop for the retailer's fine jewelry and today's lifestyle home products from the comfort of their own home or office. The new look, which can be viewed at www.servicemerchandise.com , reflects a total revision of the site graphics to incorporate the retailer's new concept of eight merchandise worlds, introduced earlier this year.
"We've taken a great site, and made it even better," said Ken Brame, senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer. "Now customers can click through and more easily view our merchandise, in the same product groups where they'd see these items in our stores or in our catalog."
The site renovation was a joint effort between Service Merchandise's Marketing and Information Technology departments and Giant Step internet design group of Chicago. Brame said a primary goal was to make the site more user-friendly in terms of navigating and shopping the retailers' eight merchandise worlds of fine jewelry, kitchen and dining, home accents and furniture, looking healthy/staying healthy, season to season, travel shop, electronics and kid essentials.
Highlights of the site include the ability to view full-color graphics of more than 12,000 catalog items and use major credit cards to purchase them through a secure on-line transaction. Another popular feature is the site's Bridal & Gift Registry page. Service Merchandise is the first national retailer to allow customers to view and purchase from registrants' gift lists. Site visitors can also see the latest calendar of bridal events in their market and, sometime in 1998, will be able to register on-line from their home or office.
The updated site provides more detailed information about the company's in-store events and current promotions, supporting the existing program of newspaper inserts, direct mail flyers and television in select markets. New to the site is Service Merchandise "Direct to You", a customized email service that will give customers periodic updates in specific interest areas they select when they complete the profile form to register with the complimentary service.
According to Senior Vice President/Marketing Chuck Kremers, the retailer plans to increase its presence on the Internet in 1998, introducing banner ads on other sites and featuring more prominent inclusion in other Service Merchandise advertising vehicles.
"We expect the Internet to play an increasingly important role in the shopping experience, and we're committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to get the wide range of products we offer, at value prices," said Kremers |
