Williams-Sonoma, Inc, Launches E-Commerce Furniture Website

Furniture World Magazine

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announced the introduction of online shopping destination www.wshome.com for its premium home furnishings brand, Williams-Sonoma Home. Initially introduced via catalog in the fall of 2004, it is the first brand in the Williams-Sonoma(R) family of brands to focus exclusively on the premium level of the home furnishings market. The launch of e-commerce enables customers to shop, browse, or simply be inspired by the full assortment of European craftsmanship with a casual American style and elegance previously accessible to a limited audience in exclusive showrooms, decorator show-houses or through an interior design professional. The site www.wshome.com marks its official launch on Monday, August 14, 2006. The hallmarks of the brand -- designer services, incredible quality, style, design and a focus on the customer experience -- will be incorporated in the website offering. Beyond the standard features and services customers have come to expect from all Williams-Sonoma brand websites, Williams-Sonoma Home features a comprehensive furniture preview tool and an impressive depth of visual images (some products have up 24 different image views) with enhanced color and detail viewing capabilities that bring even the smoothest buttery soft Italian leather to life. "During the almost two years since we launched the brand, we've learned a lot about our Williams-Sonoma Home customer," according to Dave DeMattei, group president Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home and west elm brands. "We know our core customer is a well-traveled, educated and technically savvy individual that likes to use the Internet to access information and to shop," DeMattei said. The website, like the catalog and retail stores, will sell beautifully crafted custom-upholstered furniture in an expanded selection of over 100 designer fabrics on a choice of over 30 unique silhouettes. A broader selection of merchandise than what is currently offered in the catalog or retail stores will be available, including handcrafted wood furniture, lighting, tableware, imported bedding and decorative accessories. "Our goal with the e-commerce channel arm of the Williams- Sonoma Home brand is to bring the full breadth and assortment to life in a visually enticing, easy-to-navigate experience that complements our catalog and retail stores," continued DeMattei. "Online technology enables us to offer an even wider depth and assortment than what we can show in a catalog or at any one time in a retail store setting," DeMattei concluded. About Williams-Sonoma Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a nationwide specialty retailer of high quality products for the home. These products, representing six distinct merchandise strategies -- Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, west elm and Williams-Sonoma Home -- are marketed through 569 stores, seven mail order catalogs and six e-commerce websites.