eToys Expands
Friday November 3, 8:30 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Its Scope With New Party and Hobby Stores and Enhanced Merchandising Features
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2000--eToys Inc. (Nasdaq:ETYS - news) today extended its position as the Internet's leading site for kids-oriented commerce, content and services with the launch of its new Party and Hobby stores and the introduction of new merchandising features designed to enhance the site's overall customer experience.
(Note: eToys President and Chief Executive Officer Toby Lenk will host a conference call and online Web site tour for analysts and news media today at 11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST. The dial-in number for the call is 913/981-4900 and the participant code is 796519).
The moves continue the evolution of eToys.com as the premier year-round, online destination for children's needs. The new stores and new features are highlighted on eToys' Welcome Page, a convenient jump-off point to the full range of the company's offerings. It offers a directory of eToys' major shopping areas (Toys; Books; Video Games; Software; DVD, Music & Videos; Hobbies; and Party) and easy navigation to the company's BabyCenter and new ParentCenter sites (www.babycenter.com and www.parentcenter.com). For the holiday season, eToys' new merchandising features receive prominent play.
In launching its new Party and Hobby Stores, eToys is fulfilling its strategic intent to offer the broadest range of kids' goods and to enhance its shopping experience with value-added editorial content and personalized features.
The Party Store is a one-stop shop for birthday, holiday and other kids-oriented parties. Party planners can choose from more than 80 party themes, create and customize E-Invitations, and get ideas for activities, games and food. The Party Store allows eToys for the first time to tap into the $5 billion kids party goods segment, a fast growing and non-seasonal addition to the company's product lines.
The Hobby Store is stocked with thousands of hobby products including trains, planes, automobiles and rockets. Hobby enthusiasts comprise a $4 billion market in the U.S. and eToys' Hobby Store is designed to make shopping for hobby products easy. Products are arranged by categories and skill level, and the store makes use of an extensive FAQ (frequently asked questions) section to help customers make better informed purchase decisions.
``Our mission is to offer all things for kids, all year long,'' said Toby Lenk, president and chief executive officer of eToys. ``And the launch of our new commerce channels and Web site features are meaningful developments in our pursuit of that mission. As we enter our peak season in 2000, I believe eToys.com has never looked better, has never been so well organized and has never offered consumers a better overall experience than it does today.''
The company unveiled several new merchandising features in time for the holiday shopping season.
Uniquely eToys
Uniquely eToys is a lineup of more than 600 products proprietary to eToys. Products range from kid-friendly room decor, innovative storage ideas, one-of-a-kind toys, and arts and crafts items. Parents can shop by themes like Think Pink, Vroom Room, Sports Buff and Jungle Jubilee.
Holiday Hot List
Designed to make holiday shopping even faster and more convenient, the Holiday Hot List can be found by clicking on ``Holiday Hot List'' on the www.eToys.com main Web page. The Hot List is a collection of more than 300 of the most popular holiday gifts in one place. From scooters to electronic dogs, all of the season's hot toys can be quickly found on the Holiday Hot List page.
The Big Gift
This unique place can be found by clicking on ``The Big Gift'' on the www.eToys.com main Web page. The Big Gift helps customers easily find the extra special gift for the children in their life. The Big Gift is also the showcase for eToys' new interactive product demonstrations, allowing customers to view products from all angles and zoom in for better looks. The Big Gift features more than 250 gifts with average prices of about $100 each. Examples of products include the $599 Mead computerized telescope and the $149 Madeline dollhouse.
Teen
eToys' new Teen page is an extension of eToys popular Shop by Age feature. Designed for parents and teens, this area collects all the products in which teens and pre-teens are interested. Lava lamps, fashion accessories and teen music are just a few of the hundreds of products available.
About eToys.com
Based in Los Angeles, eToys Inc. (www.eToys.com; www.eToys.co.uk; AOL Keyword eToys) is the premier Internet retailer for children's products with an extensive selection of both nationally advertised and specialty toys, software, books, videos, music, video games, hobby products, party goods and baby oriented products. By combining this extensive selection with helpful and fun ideas and award-winning customer service, eToys offers consumers a unique one-stop source for children's products. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, BabyCenter, Inc. (www.babycenter.com; www.babycentre.co.uk; www.parentcenter.com), eToys offers Webby award winning content and community, as well as an extensive selection of merchandise for new and expectant parents.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this document that are forward-looking involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the company's expectation of operating losses and negative cash flow for the foreseeable future. Other risks are set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, under the heading ``Business -- Additional Factors That May Affect Results,'' in the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, and in the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Contact:
eToys Inc.
Gary Gerdemann, 310/998-6823 (Media)
ggerd@etoys.com
Clem Teng, 310/998-6312 (Investors)
cteng@etoys.com
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