Redcats Expands International Deployment of Progress EasyAsk Advanced Search and Online Merchandising Technology to Deliver Consistent Multi-Channel Customer Experience; Leading Global Retailer to Standardize on Progress(R) EasyAsk(R)
BEDFORD, Mass. (BUSINESS WIRE)
21-Jun-2006
Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), a supplier of leading technology to develop, deploy, integrate and manage business applications, today announced that Redcats (http://www.redcats.com) will significantly expand its use of Progress(R) EasyAsk(R) advanced search, navigation and dynamic merchandising technology to power 21 leading international e-commerce web sites. A global leader in home shopping, with 17 brands across 26 countries, Redcats offers a portfolio of some of the world's most popular catalog, web and retail store brands, including Chadwick's, Lerner Catalog/metrostyle(TM), La Redoute, Empire, Jessica London, Ellos and Roaman's.
To complete its transition from a mail-order retailer of apparel, home and lifestyle products to a multi-channel home-shopping leader, Redcats has developed a state-of-the-art home shopping infrastructure. As part of this initiative, the company will use the EasyAsk product as its standard search functionality and customer interface across all of its sites in the U.S., United Kingdom and France. Through a unified architecture, also known as its Millena Platform, Redcats will increase efficiency and leverage e-commerce best practices across these leading retail web sites worldwide, visited by approximately 15 million unique shoppers each month.
"Our catalog, in-store and e-commerce channels are designed to offer a convenient, reliable shopping experience for customers throughout the world," said Alex Betancur, senior vice president of online technology for Redcats USA. "We constantly look to sophisticated search capabilities to extend our marketers' abilities to consistently and dynamically merchandise products across multiple sales channels. The EasyAsk product enables us to harness these opportunities, and gives customers a quick and easy way to find products and refine searches based on individual interests."
Redcats USA originally deployed the EasyAsk product in 2003 and is currently ranked 28th on Internet Retailer's 2006 Top 500 list - measured in part by their strengths in online sales, conversion rates and unique monthly visitors. Redcats recently chose to standardize its international sites using EasyAsk based on its proven success and multi-lingual linguistic search, including English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and German. Total cost of ownership (TCO), rapid deployment and ease of implementation, as well as Progress Software's global presence and support made EasyAsk a clear choice.
"Our customers realize the importance of successfully synchronizing in-store, catalog and online customer interactions," said Larry Harris, vice president and general manager, EasyAsk Division of Progress Software. "Our technology allows leading retailers, such as Redcats, to continuously exceed the expectations of their customers, and increase conversion rates and average order sizes through the creative evolution and integration of search, merchandising and marketing activities."
About Redcats
Redcats is a multi-channel and multi-specialized home shopping company, with 17 brands in 26 countries, a staff of over 20,000 associates and a turnover of 4.37 billion euros. Redcats is a PPR Company. For more information please visit http://www.redcats.com.
About Progress Software Corporation
Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS) is a global industry leader providing application infrastructure software for all aspects of the development, deployment, integration and management of business applications through its operating units: Progress OpenEdge Division, Sonic Software, DataDirect Technologies and Progress Real Time Division. Headquartered in Bedford, Mass., Progress can be reached at http://www.progress.com or +1-781-280-4000.
EasyAsk and Progress are registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Progress Software
Lisle Holgate, 781-280-4278
lholgate@progress.com
http://www.easyask.com
or
Davies Murphy Group, Inc.
Matthew Card, 781-418-2411
easyask@daviesmurphy.com
http://www.daviesmurphy.com
SOURCE: Progress Software Corporation
