Glenn, isn't it obvious why Kleiner wants to get its kids cemented together?
>DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2000--
Shop@AOL's Exciting New Features Take Online Shopping to the Next
Level, While Streamlined Layout Continues to Offer Easy Access to
Hundreds of Popular Brand-Name Merchants
Popularity of Online Shopping Continues to Rise, With Total AOL
Member Spending More than Doubling in June Quarter to $4.9
Billion From Same Period Last Year
America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), the world's leading interactive services company, today unveiled a new look and innovative new tools for its Shop@AOL destination, making the Internet's leading shopping destination easier, more compelling and more dynamic than ever before.
All signs point to the continued growth in popularity of online shopping. AOL members are returning again and again to the online marketplace to make their purchases, with total online spending by AOL members rising to $4.9 billion in the quarter ending June 30, 2000 -- more than double the $2.4 billion spent in the same quarter last year, and up significantly from the $3.9 billion spent during the first quarter of this year. (IRG, June, 2000)
Shop@AOL's dramatic enhancements offer consumers: 37 streamlined shopping departments, all of which utilize time-saving "fly-out" menus; a one-of-a-kind Bargain Basement area dedicated to providing consumers with the best shopping deals online in an exciting environment; an enhanced Search function including product reviews, shipping information, and ability to list products by price or popularity; Great Gift Ideas and Specialty Shops conveniently accessible through the main Shop@AOL screen; and a new Shopping List that will enable shoppers to easily "bookmark" products to refer to or purchase later.
Shop@AOL also features a revamped main screen and an updated, visually-compelling layout that highlights one-touch access to all shopping needs. The Shop@AOL enhancements combine next-generation features and technology with AOL's hallmark focus on convenience and ease-of-use to make online shopping a more rewarding consumer experience. And as always, Shop@AOL brings consumers the best brands in cyberspace, from Barnes & Noble.com and J.Crew to sears.com and Target.
"The number of households shopping online is expected to double in the next two years, and when people come online they want to find a shopping experience that brings them the best selection of merchants, products and easy-to-use features," said Katherine Borsecnik, Senior Vice President, Strategic Businesses, AOL. "The redesign of our popular Shop@AOL online shopping destination, with personalized Searches, Shopping Lists and revolutionary "ly-out" menus, enables us to offer consumers the latest features and innovative services available online. We are also thrilled to be launching Bargain Basement, a truly one-of-a-kind area dedicated to helping our members locate great discounts on name-brand merchandise."
New Shop@AOL Features and Look Enhance the Online Experience
-- The New Layout of Shop@AOL Makes It Easier and More Convenient for Online Shoppers
The new, efficient Shop@AOL layout incorporates "fly-out" menus which allow shoppers to flow seamlessly from department to department by significantly reducing the number of clicks users need to find and purchase the products they're looking for. Shop@AOL now has 37 consolidated, category-specific departments, ranging from Clothing & Accessories, to Toys & Games, to Health & Beauty, organized to offer consumers increased browsability.
In addition, the redesigned "face" of Shop@AOL provides users an even more visually compelling, intuitive experience. And as always, Shop@AOL will provide members with daily features and promotions, enabling them to take advantage of some of the great savings found online.
-- Bargain Basement Offers Shoppers Great Deals in a Fun Shopping Environment
According to Jupiter Research, more than one third of online shoppers are bargain shoppers (Jupiter Communications, March 2000). AOL members who are looking for great deals and sales will love Shop@AOL's dynamic new Bargain Basement area, dedicated to providing a one-stop destination for consumers looking for the best shopping deals from top merchants.
A totally new destination within Shop@AOL, this unique area brings together the expertise of a premier liquidator of brand name goods with the ease-of-use and convenient online experience of Shop@AOL. Bargain Basement is a great way for AOL members to find high-quality, brand name merchandise at prices discounted up to 80%.
Powered by SmartBargains, Bargain Basement offers convenient access to great brands and values in men's and women's apparel, consumer electronics, kitchen appliances and other items for the home, all in a fun shopping environment. AOL members will receive exclusive "first looks" at a selection of merchandise through Bargain Basement, in addition to receiving exclusive access to selected name-brand items. AOL members can easily access this special, new area at AOL Keyword: Bargain Basement.
-- Enriched Shop@AOL Search To Include Consumer Product Reviews From AOL Members, Shipping Information, Special Offers and Convenient Link to Personalized Shopping List
Beginning later this fall, Shop@AOL users will find the same convenience and ease-of-use offered by the existing Shopping Search enriched with consumer product reviews entered by AOL members that tap into their knowledge and opinions of the products and merchants. The new Search results will offer more details than ever before, including product images, product descriptions and lists of key features, along with independent reviews of Shop@AOL retailers, offering details on the quality of the site, return policies and shipping charges.
In addition, merchants will have the opportunity to list information such as special offers, product availability, and shipping information in the Search results. And, as always, Shop@AOL's Search results page will continue to deliver users relevant, comprehensive search results across a breadth of categories
Shoppers will be able to personalize their search by limiting price ranges, by sorting items by popularity, and can choose to search specific merchants or for specific product brands. They'll even be able to add search results items to their Shopping List!
-- New Shopping List Will Help Consumers Plan Purchases
Soon to be available across the Shop@AOL brands, the new Shopping List feature will allow consumers to save products to refer to or purchase later. At the click of a button, consumers can add or remove products from the list. The Shopping List can be linked to My Calendar, to help shoppers plan their purchases around events like birthdays, weddings or other special occacions. Shoppers can share their Shopping Lists with friends and family via e-mail, and they can choose to search the Shopping Lists of others to find the perfect gift.
-- Great Gift Ideas Make Finding That Special Gift More Convenient Than Ever
Research shows that the no. 1 motivating factor driving consumers to shop online is convenience (ICR, June, 2000), which Shop@AOL offers online shoppers through features such as Gifts & Specialty Shops area.
Easily accessible from the main Shop@AOL screen, the innovative Gift & Specialty Shops feature makes available in one convenient location gift suggestions organized by themes, occasions, and holidays, including Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her, Weddings, Halloween, and Back-to-School, along with the popular Chic Simple wardrobe guides and the favorite Last Minute Gifts guide, a one-stop solution for shoppers who need gifts to arrive within 24-48 hours.
"We are excited to bring consumers our redesigned Shop@AOL. We think that our exciting new features and services, including handy product reviews and Shopping Lists, are bound to be popular with our members," said Patrick Gates, Vice President, E-Commerce, AOL. "Our new redesign, unique features, and consistent services provide users of Shop@AOL with everything they need to have an easy, fun online shopping experience, whether they are coming online to make a fast purchase or browsing for interesting gift ideas."
Popular, Easy-to-Use Features Have Made Shop@AOL a Favorite Online Shopping Destination
Shop@AOL will continue to offer online shoppers, including the nearly 70% of AOL members who made an online purchases in the last six months, the same signature features that have made Shop@AOL a favorite online shopping destination. Among the hallmark Shop@AOL features are AOL Interactive Decision Guides, Online Product Simulations, Quick Checkout, the AOL 100% Guarantee of Safety and Satisfaction, along with AOL Customer Care Features that include 24 hour live assistance via email, telephone, or Instant Messaging; convenient information on shipping; and details of Shop@AOL's Certified Merchant Guarantee.
Since 1996, America Online has made it a priority to offer AOL members a simple, one-of-a-kind shopping environment with unique features, easy-to-use tools, and popular brand-name merchant partners. Shop@AOL is available to AOL members at Shop@AOL, CompuServe members at Shop@CompuServe, and to visitors through the Web at Shop@AOL.COM, Shop@Netscape, Shop@Spinner and Shop@Gateway. |
