eShop Plaza brings holiday spirit to online shopping with Salvation Army, new merchants; For the first time ever, shoppers can now donate online to the Salvation Army; Spiegel Toy Store and Felissimo open their doors to holiday shoppers

Business Wire, Dec 7, 1995

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1995--A quintessential part of the American holiday shopping experience for more than a century comes to the cybermall: eShop Inc. today welcomed The Salvation Army to eShop Plaza, the world's first online mall developed specifically to meet consumer demands for convenience, personal service and security.

For the first time ever -- and only at eShop Plaza -- shoppers can make secure online donations to The Salvation Army between December 8 and January 1; eShop Inc. also will match their gifts dollar for dollar.

"We are honored to welcome The Salvation Army to eShop Plaza," said Matt Kursh, CEO of eShop. "For many of us, holiday shopping just wouldn't be the same without The Salvation Army there to help share with the less fortunate. We're pleased to be the only online mall offering our shoppers this opportunity."

"We are thrilled at this partnership with eShop," said Robert A. Watson, National Commander of The Salvation Army. "We know that even in cyberspace, busy holiday shoppers care about helping others in times of need."

How It Works

When they arrive at eShop Plaza's courtyard, shoppers see The Salvation Army's familiar bell-ringing major. Clicking on the icon enables them to charge a donation ($20 and up) to their credit card. The donation, which typically is tax-deductible, is added to their shopping basket and, like all purchases made at eShop Plaza, is fully described in the online receipt the shopper receives at checkout. It is also recorded on the shopper's regular credit card statement.

Two New Stores Open at eShop Plaza

Just in time for the holidays, eShop Plaza also welcomed two new stores, Spiegel Toy Store and Felissimo, to its growing roster of merchants that includes Tower Records, Spiegel, Insight, THE GOOD GUYS! and 1/800-FLOWERS.

The Spiegel Toy Store, from the well-known Spiegel catalog, is a classic holiday wish list of delightful toys and gifts for children of all ages, from Walt Disney Co. interactive books, to Barbie and Sesame Street products.

"We expect parents to flock to our store at eShop Plaza while the kids are asleep," said John J. Shea, president and CEO of Spiegel. "It's more convenient and hassle-free than taking the entire family to the local mall, and the Spiegel Toy Store at eShop Plaza also makes it easier for parents to keep gifts secret until the holidays."

Felissimo, an elegant store in a turn-of-the-century townhouse, offers eShop Plaza shoppers a glimpse at its prestigious location off Fifth Avenue in New York City. Inspired by the natural world, Felissimo features an array of exquisite gifts in six settings -- a garden, bedroom, wardrobe, living and dining rooms and a tea emporium -- that celebrate the harmony of all life.

"eShop Plaza is the ideal environment in cyberspace for Felissimo," said Kazuhiko Yazaki, president and CEO of Felissimo. "Its advanced technology and graphic capabilities have enabled us to recreate Felissimo New York's unique interior and to offer shoppers a sampling of our beautiful gifts."

About eShop Plaza

Getting to eShop Plaza is easy. Free eShop software is available by calling eShop directly at 1-800/374-6748 (1-800-eShop-4-U) x700, or from participating retailers. (There is a nominal charge for shipping and handling of software.) Web surfers can download free software directly from eShop's Web site (www.eshop.com).

The eShop software installs in minutes on any Windows-compatible computer (486 or better) with a 9600 baud modem. Dialing into eShop Plaza is toll-free from anywhere in the United States, and there are no connection charges or fees for shopping. Navigating eShop Plaza, a tasteful 3D rendering of a shopping mall, is as easy as pointing and clicking. Security on all transactions is guaranteed by eShop Inc. through its eShop Secure Purchase Guarantee program.

About eShop Inc.

eShop Inc. was founded in 1992 to develop and market software technologies that deliver the highest quality shopping experience available anywhere online. Strategic partners include GE Capital Corp.'s Retailer Financial Service Division, the world's largest private-label card company and an eShop shareholder. Privately held, eShop is headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. -0-

Note to Editors: eShop is a trademark of eShop Inc. eShop Plaza and eShop Secure Purchase Guarantee are service marks of eShop Inc. Other tradenames are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: eShop Inc.

Lisa Schiltz, 415/573-7770, ext. 251

or

Access Communications

Robin Rootenberg/Mark Smotroff, 415/904-7070

ext. 282 or 270