Both shopping centers have launched a free Internet shopping club, Shopping Bytes, on their respective World Wide Web sites. After electronically gathering information on shopping habits and interests, the malls are e-mailing members customized coupons, sales alerts, contest announcements and special event dates. From the convenience of their home or office, members will receive personalized shopping information, and they can easily update their information as often as they desire. Two weeks prior to an anniversary, members will receive e-mail from us reminding them of upcoming occasions. This lets members view a list of gift suggestions from various stores.
Merchants say the timing is right for the cyberspace venture.
The Body Shop is already global and has its own Web page, so it's an added incentive that people can access our Web page from Shopping Bytes. It will give us a chance to provide regular information to existing customers and introduce new customers to us. Other retailers see Shopping Bytes as a way to provide merchandise or events. We've already had people tell us that they've come into the store after seeing us on the mall's Web site.