Interactive computer shopping expanded at Dayton's, Hudson's and Marshall Field's; innovative system designed by MarCole Enterprises Inc

Business Wire, April 19, 1995

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 1995-- Interactive technology that allows customers to see and choose merchandise from a computer screen and pay on the spot with a credit card will be introduced in select Dayton's, Hudson's and Marshall Field's stores beginning in August of 1995.

The launch follows a year long test of an electronic catalog designed by MarCole Enterprises Inc. of Walnut Creek, Calif.

"An interactive system is the natural progression for our existing computerized gift registry," says Susan Boren, senior vice president, customer development/direct response for The Department Store Division of Dayton Hudson Corporation. "We'll be able to offer our customers a convenient, comprehensive and exciting new way to send gifts and shop for themselves from one of the country's largest tabletop assortments."

The Department Store Division of Dayton Hudson Corporation, with 63 stores in nine states, leads the retail industry in tabletop sales. The interactive shopping kiosks will initially feature tabletop merchandise from manufacturers such as Oneida, Noritake and Waterford and offer customers access to the retailers' computerized gift registry system which currently serves over 60,000 registrants annually.

"The Department Store Division's retailing format, combined with MarCole's interactive technology creates an electronic retailing system that can be used in-store today and anywhere in the future," says Ronald Coleman, president and CEO of MarCole Enterprises.

MarCole Enterprises Inc., founded in 1991, develops, installs and supports custom turn-key interactive shopping applications for retail including interactive electronic catalogs, information systems, gift registries, self-service electronic order entry systems and store directories. In addition to Dayton Hudson, MarCole's clients include The Good Guys!, Army/Air Force Exchange Service, Oneida, Noritake, Waterford, Wedgwood, Denby, Reed & Barton, Villeroy & Boch and others.

Customers will use a touch screen to browse through an electronic catalog of high-quality color images and product information on full lines of china, crystal and silver products. They can search for a product by brand, pattern, style, color or price and see every item in a pattern. They can also have the option to access the company's computerized gift registry system which files gift preferences and previously made purchases for registrants on special gift-giving occasions such as weddings or the arrival of a new baby. Gift givers can see the registered item with the touch of a finger.

Once a selection is made the customers may choose to have the merchandise gift wrapped for an additional fee and include a greeting card that they can personalize by touching the screen. The customer then pays for this transaction at the terminal with their credit card. The merchandise will be shipped directly to the recipient's address.

MarCole Enterprises and The Department Store Division are co-developing the interface between MarCole's system and Dayton Hudson's systems as part of an overall strategy in electronic retailing alternatives being pioneered by the customer development/direct response division of the department store company.

For more information, MarCole Enterprises can be reached at 2920 Camino Diablo, Suite No. 200, Walnut Creek, Calif. 94596. Phone: 510/933-9792, Fax: 510/933-9795.

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Editor's note: Color slides and/or screen captures on disk are available.

CONTACT: MarCole Enterprises

Sandra Markus, 510/933-9792

Bigio Concepts PR

Kimberly Hathaway, 415/563-5972

The Department Store Division

Melissa Stark, 612/375-3979