World's Top Retailers Gather for Industry's First Forum On New
Opportunities Created by Networking Technology
BW - 11:01 a.m. Dec 07, 1998 Eastern
3Com Hosts Landmark Event in Conjunction with
Networks3 User Group Conference
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1998--
More than one hundred of the world's top retailers are gathering
today in San Francisco to exchange ideas and discuss the
dramatic changes networking technology is bringing to their
businesses in the industry's first symposium sponsored by
3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS), the leader in providing
networked solutions to retailers.
With shoppers expected to spend $2.3 billion in online
purchases during the 1998 holiday shopping season, up from
$1.1 billion last year, retailers are quickly realizing the necessity
to deploy networking technology to reach more customers in
less traditional ways and to find new competitive advantages.
"Today, more than 72 million Americans have access to the
Internet, 58 percent more than just one year ago, creating new
opportunities and challenges for retailers," said 3Com COO and
President Bruce Claflin. "The retailers meeting here today are
seeking new insights on the emerging networking technologies
that are driving this incredible shift in consumer buying habits
and retail operations."
The symposium, held in conjunction with 3Com's annual
end-user forum, Networks3, and co-sponsored by SAP and
PricewaterhouseCoopers, is the industry's first event to promote
understanding of the fundamental changes and new efficiencies
networking technology is enabling in virtually every facet of
retailing.
"From online sales and distribution, to inventory control and
transaction processing, networking technology is helping us
succeed by knowing our customers and exceeding their
expectations for quality and customer service," said Carver
Johnson, CIO of Gymboree, the premier retailer of toddler
apparel. "We are always looking for the most productive,
cost-effective path between good ideas and great results, and
3Com's retail symposium is the ideal forum to exchange new
creative ideas."
Leading retailers from around the world, including Canada, the
U.S., Europe and Latin America are scheduled to attend the
event. Senior executives from CompUSA, The Home Depot,
Excite.com, Service Merchandise, Boots The Chemist and
others will discuss how they have gained competitive advantage
by deploying next generation networking solutions, including
converged intranets, to cost-effectively support new retail
applications.
"Never before has networking played such a fundamental role in
reshaping retailing and the consumer shopping experience, and
CIO's are recognizing that networking is now strategic to the
success of their business," said Jeff Siegel, 3Com retail group
director. "This symposium is designed to provide retailers with
a better understanding of available and emerging technologies
and applications."
More than 700,000 retail stores, including Wal-Mart, American
Stores, Sears Roebuck, JCPenney, Lowes, Marks & Spencer,
Rite Aid, Hudson's Bay, Nordstrom, Ross Stores, and
Carrefour use 3Com products for competitive advantage, and,
according to 3Com research, 80 percent, or $640 billion, of all
credit card transactions in the U.S. each year are processed over
3Com enabled networks operated by AT&T, CompuServe,
VisaNet and others.
3Com is also the founder of the Retail Network Innovation
Awards, a program designed to recognize retailer innovation in
the use of networked applications. Additional information on
3Com's innovative solutions for retailers is available at
3com.com.
About 3Com
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com
Corporation connects more people to information in more ways
than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative
information access products and network system solutions to
large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network
service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com -- More
connected. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide
Web site at www.3Com.com or the press site at
www.3Com.com/pressbox.
Copyright 1998, Business Wire
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