L.L. Knickerbocker To Aggressively Expand Its
Distribution On The Internet
Product Sales To Include Full Line Of Collectibles And Jewelry
LAKE FOREST, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The L. L. Knickerbocker Co., Inc. (Nasdaq:
KNIC - news) announced today it is aggressively expanding its product distribution for sales on the
Internet.
The Company began test marketing on the Internet two years ago with limited product and is now
gearing up to provide a much larger selection of its product lines to the growing demand of
consumers that shop on the Internet. ''Broadening our Internet site is a key fit with our core strategic
roadmap for merchandising our brands,'' said Robert West, COO. ''We are in the process of
making enhanced improvements, expanding our web site designs and functionality, and positioning
our Internet presence with key demographic service providers, such as AOL and others, that will
further our reach into the homes of consumers who will buy our broad based and diverse product
lines.''
Within its various divisions and subsidiaries, L. L. Knickerbocker has approximately 3,000 different
styles of dolls and bears, and more than 10,000 different styles of fine jewelry. At its Thailand
operation, the Company produces 100 new fine jewelry styles every month. ''The Company's ability
to continually add product to its existing lines will serve to increase its opportunity for success in this
distribution channel,'' added Mr. West.
The Company recently developed several new marketing tools on its web site: The Collector's
Yellow Pages, CD-ROM Presentation of The Magic Attic Club, and The Collectors' Chat Lines.
The Thailand operation has developed an Intranet site to provide an on-line method for wholesale
and distributor jewelry orders to be processed world wide. This site, which is scheduled to be
available on the Internet on Monday, April 27th (www.knickerbocker.co.th), also provides for a
CD-ROM version of the fine jewelry lines for dealers, wholesalers and distributors. This cutting-edge
technology allows the Company to reduce the liability associated with sample cases, import tariffs
and reduces presentation costs.
Louis L. Knickerbocker, CEO, said ''in the early 1980's the home shopping industry went from zero
revenues to an estimated $4 billion at the end of 1997. 1 believe that the Internet will eclipse the
home shopping industry in the future.'' He added, ''The Internet will allow us to distribute products
world wide at a fraction of the cost of normal distribution channels, and to change product mix
inexpensively and instantly. The key to success on the Internet is diverse product mix and the ability
to respond to customer needs quickly and efficiently. The L. L. Knickerbocker Company is
positioned to take advantage of this fast growing median.''
The L. L. Knickerbocker Co., Inc. is a diverse international company with operations in three
strategic divisions, collectibles, jewelry and investments. The Company markets all of its products
worldwide. Through its investments division, it has a 50% interest in Arkenol Asia, Inc., an
approximate 32% equity interest in Pure Energy Corporation and a 28% equity interest in Ontro, Inc.
For more information visit The L. L. Knickerbocker Company web site at www.knickerbocker.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological
factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services and prices, and other
factors. The Company's actual resulted could differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements as a result of the factors described herein.
SOURCE: L.L. Knickerbocker Co., Inc. |
