ELECTRONIC RETAILING LEADERS CELEBRATE FIRST ANNUAL
NATIONAL ONLINE SHOPPING WEEK
MasterCard, EZSpree, shop.org, AIM and FamilyPC Magazine Team Up To Make Holiday Shopping More Fun
for Consumers
November 27, "Black Friday", Kicks-off Week of Online Shopping Promotions
www.OnlineShoppingWeek.com
New York, NY -- October 29, 1998 -- Leaders in electronic commerce and online retailing today
announced a joint effort to raise consumer awareness about safe Internet transactions by declaring
November 27 to December 4 National Online Shopping Week (www.OnlineShoppingWeek.com). Among
the organizations spearheading the campaign geared toward boosting confidence and interest in online
shopping, are MasterCard International (www.mastercard.com), a leading global payment brand; EZSpree
(www.ezspree.com), the largest online shopping promotion in cyberspace; shop.org (www.shop.org) the
association of leading online retailers; The Association for Interactive Media (www.interactivehg.org), the
largest Internet trade association; and FamilyPC Magazine ( www.familypc.com ), a consumer technology
publication.
Kicking off on Friday, November 27, "Black Friday" and scheduled to coincide with the start of the
busiest shopping time of the year, National Online Shopping Week encourages consumers to explore the
wealth of products and services offered over the Internet and experience the fun and convenience of
shopping online. During the campaign, consumers can visit www.OnlineShoppingWeek.com for payment
security information, advice about shopping online, links to participating merchants and the opportunity to
participate in an online shopping survey.
Merchants participating in National Online Shopping Week are required to adhere to the latest in secure
transaction protocols and are asked to offer consumer incentives ranging from free shipping on items
purchased during National Online Shopping Week to 10% discounts, free wrapping paper, special gifts and
donations to national charities. Participating merchant sites will display a National Online Shopping Week
logo and/or run National Online Shopping Week advertising banners on their sites as well as contribute
useful information to www.OnlineShoppingWeek.com.
"MasterCard is the only payment brand to promote merchants that provide the highest online security
standards available, so it makes sense that we are one of the organizers of National Online Shopping Week"
said David Henderson, MasterCard International vice president for global advertising and interactive
marketing. "Our involvement in this campaign, plus The EZSpree promotion, and MasterCard's Hot Deals
and Shop Smart! programs all help to increase consumer awareness and confidence about shopping safely
on-line. We want consumers to feel secure shopping on-line, especially when they see MasterCard's Shop
Smart! decal on retailers' web sites."
"FamilyPC magazine is dedicated to educating readers about the productive and practical uses of the PC
and the Internet," said Robin Raskin, Editor in Chief, FamilyPC Magazine. "By participating in National
Online Shopping Week, we are recognizing the huge benefit of shopping in the convenience of your own
home. There's a great selection of products and you can save time. This translates to having more time
with your family."
"Our goal in promoting National Online Shopping Week, is, as always, to engage consumers in a
meaningful dialogue so they not only understand why they should shop online, but they also take full
advantage of the Internet when considering all types of purchases -- houses to socks to blenders," said
Jerry Shereshewsky, Senior Vice President, Marketing for EZSpree. "We expect that this campaign will
raise the comfort level of consumers who have long been curious about online shopping but haven't yet
made their first purchase."
National Online Shopping Week comes during a period when Internet shopping is expected to grow
substantially over the same period last year. According to Jupiter Communications, a New York-based
industry analyst firm, total online shopping revenues for 1998 are expected to reach $5.8 billion. This is
an increase of 223% over 1997 revenues. By the year 2000, this number is expected to reach $15.6 billion.
"Nothing beats the convenience and cost savings of shopping online," said Andrew L. Sernovitz, President,
Association for Interactive Media. "All consumers should know that the Internet is as safe as any other way
to shop and it's a whole lot more useful, as well."
"The marketing incentives that National Online Shopping Week offers retailers is an effective way for
industry self-regulation to work," said Cliff Sharples, Chairman of shop.org and President of Garden
Escape. "Many online merchants employ sound security measures and responsible privacy practices.
Nevertheless, National Online Shopping Week participating retailers are asked to follow good business
practices for privacy and the latest technology for security to further increase consumer confidence in
shopping online."
National Online Shopping Week begins Friday, November 27, 1998 and ends Friday, December 4, 1998.
# # #
Web Merchants: For more information on becoming a corporate participant National Online Shopping
Week, please visit www.OnlineShoppingWeek.com .
Editors: For more information on National Online Shopping Week, artwork or spokesperson interviews,
please contact RoseAnn Ciarlante, PR21, (212) 352-3433 or roseann_ciarlante@pr21.com.
Contact:
For shop.org:
Robert L. Smith,
301-650-2321
RT Magazine
John Failla
203-662-4210 |
