Sony Electronics Lays Out Plans For SonyStyle.com

Beta Site Launches Week Of July 24

19-Jul-00

Sony Electronics Inc. (SEL) outlined its plans for SonyStyle.com, an information-rich e-commerce Web site scheduled to launch this fall. Beginning the week of July 24, a beta version of the site will be directly accessible via the Internet or through Sony Electronics' home page (www.sonystyle.com or www.sel.sony.com). According to Robert Ashcroft, president of SEL's new e-commerce business division, SonyStyle.com is designed to build a closer relationship between Sony and its customers, and is part of the company's global e-business strategy to create new products, services and business models for the network era. ""In a digital world, there is more of a need for an ongoing, direct relationship between Sony and its customers,"" said Ashcroft. ""As digital devices become more prevalent, consumers will increasingly turn to the Internet for information on how to integrate products into their personal and home networks, and to access digital content. SonyStyle.com will meet the demand for information and support in the digital era, ultimately providing a platform for connected devices and a destination for everything Sony."" Ashcroft said. The company's initial focus will be developing an information-rich e-commerce platform for the sale of Sony's electronics products. Approximately 600 products will be available immediately for sale during the beta phase, with nearly all of Sony's consumer audio/video and PC products ultimately made available for sale. According to Ashcroft, more and more online consumers are looking for product information to help make an informed decision about what to buy. SonyStyle.com will provide comprehensive information on Sony products, including manuals, warranty information and ""help-me-decide"" guides; community functionality for fellow A/V enthusiasts, for example, to exchange opinions on home theatre; and a dealer locator for customers to search for their nearest retail outlet for Sony products. ""What's really exciting about the site is that it will evolve into a unique Sony-branded Web presence beyond e-commerce with the introduction of interactive content and value-added services,"" Ashcroft said. Among the e-services immediately available on SonyStyle.com are music downloads through Musiclub(SM), a gateway where music lovers can download tracks or purchase CDs. ""Offering e-services is just the beginning,"" Ashcroft noted. ""We expect to launch an ISP for networked devices and a portal for complementary services later this year."" About Sony Electronics Inc.Headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey, Sony Electronics has more than 26,000 employees in the U.S. and Mexico. Sony is the co-developer of CD and DVD technologies, and noted for such recent developments as Memory StickÆ IC card digital media, the MiniDisc digital audio system, Digital 8ô HandycamÆ camcorders, flat-screen FD TrinitronÆ televisions and computer displays, and VAIO notebook and desktop PCs. Sony Electronics had record sales of about $12.2 billion in fiscal year 1999. Source: Sony Electronics Inc.

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