FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Information Contacts: Amber Langston Director of Marketing I.O. Metro 501.920.2636 amber@iometro.com Natalie Ghidotti Director of Public Relations Eric Rob & Isaac 501.837.0206 natalie@ericrobisaac.com
I.O. Metro to Unveil New E-commerce Website Offering Customers a Seamless Shopping Experience from the Store to Online Site, powered by e-Bay-owned Magento, is on track for June 1 launch LOWELL, ARK. (April 28, 2014) – The customer experience has always been central to the mission of I.O. Metro, a specialty lifestyle home furnishings retailer based in Lowell, Ark., and its new website promises to integrate the in-store experience even more seamlessly for the online user. The site is on track for a June 1 launch. Magento, the e-commerce platform owned by eBay, will power the new website. The top-rated platform gets high feedback from consumers regarding the online shopping experience. I.O. Metro also will be able to maintain promotional consistency between brick-and-mortar stores and the website. “Translating the in-store customer experience to our website has been a goal, but the backend technology necessary to make an e-commerce platform switch possible just wasn’t available previously,” said Amber Langston, director of marketing for I.O. Metro. “As soon as we learned in summer 2013 the technology was ready that would link our inventory system to Magento, we were ready to make the investment for an all-new website.” During fall 2013 the home furnishings store began seeking the firm that would help with the redesign and Magento integration. In January, I.O, Metro selected Los Angeles-based Spiegel Design Group. – more –
Many new and improved features will make the website more customer friendly. The level of overall product information for each item will increase substantially, including details on origin, special materials, more detailed dimensions and specifications, availability, and more. Photos will be easier to view, and the company has begun the process of providing more photos and product video for customers to view. In addition, many products will include a “Designer Review,” in which an I.O. Metro designer will evaluate the item. “We’re giving a taste of our free design service for the online customer,” said Langston, referring to I.O. Metro’s popular service that pairs in-store professional designers with clients throughout the entire home furnishing process. Each store also will have its own page for such features as designer bios and examples of design work. “We envision this becoming a great social hub for the stores, with tons of sharable content,” Langston said. “That is a major goal of the website redesign as a whole.” I.O. Metro will also use the website to test the popularity of some items before incorporating them into store floor sets. About I.O. Metro Headquartered in Lowell, Ark., I.O. Metro is a specialty lifestyle home furnishing retailer that sells modern eclectic furniture, art and accessories online and in retail stores. Through its innovative in-house development team and network of sourcing options, I.O. Metro is able to differentiate itself from monotonous furniture choices so common in the furniture industry. I.O. Metro’s unique style, great selection and moderate prices appeal to both residential and commercial customers. What started as a single store and warehouse in Bentonville in 2005 has expanded to 17 locations in eight states across the South and Midwest. – ### –