Toshiba Completes Initial Phase Of E-Commerce Strategy

With National Network Of Authorized Toshiba Online Retailers Now In Place, Company Launches Phase II Of E-commerce Rollout Plan

1-Sep-00

Toshiba America Consumer Products, Inc. announced that the initial phase of its e-commerce strategy, announced last spring, has been completed. The company has established a nationwide network of authorized online Toshiba dealers, each of which has signed an authorization e-commerce agreement with Toshiba.For Phase I of its e-commerce roll-out, Toshiba chose online retailers from the ranks of its traditional brick-and-mortar dealers, as well as one Internet-only retail site. The company's authorized Internet retailers now include Vans, Huppin's One Call, ABT, Stereo Advantage, Tweeter, Best Buy, Sears and Internet-only retailer 800.COM. In Phase II, which will continue through the end of 2000, Toshiba will selectively expand its base of brick-and-click retailers, and is not planning to authorize any additional Internet-only e-tailers. Rick Calacci, Toshiba's Vice President, Field Sales, noted, ""The Internet represents a tremendous business potential for our retail partners, but we must be sure that our products are represented on the Web in a way that complements and extends our overall brand-building initiative while maintaining the very highest standards of customer service. To this end, we will continue to be extremely selective about where and how our products are merchandised online. Additionally, while other manufacturers have begun selling their products direct from their Web sites, we have no intention of competing with our brick and mortar retailers through direct Internet sales.""With all authorized e-commerce retailers, Toshiba carefully controls which of its products are authorized for sale over the Internet. The company's exclusively distributed Cinema Series line, for example, is not made available for Internet retailing. In addition, Toshiba distributors are not authorized to sell Toshiba product to any retailer for Internet merchandising.

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