September Technology Stories

-- Home Accents Today, 9/1/2007

Bungalow updates Web sit to offer easier ordering, browsing

Bungalow, a North Carolina-based designer, importer and distributor of bags, home storage, portable entertaining and flooring, has updated its Web site, bungalowco.com, to reflect its full complement of products and designs introduced in 2007 and to enable retail customers to browse and order from the wholesale catalog online. Online ordering will be available beginning September 2007.

The Web site redesign, developed by Whereoware, features a fresh look and simplified navigation to view Bungalow’s product lines, featured products, best seller lists, press/editorial library, company history and contact information.  A newly established password-protected area allows qualified retailers to access product data and images, including wholesale pricing, dimensions, descriptions, as well as account information, and online order history.  

Burt’s Bees Creates the Greater Good Microsite

Natural personal care company Burt’s Bees Inc. has launched The Greater Good microsite (burtsbees.com/thegreatergood) to help consumers understand “natural” product labeling in personal care products.

The company decided to launch the site after a study commissioned by Burt’s Bees and The Segmentation Co., a division of Yankelovich Inc., found that three out of four women do not realize that the term “natural” in personal care products is not regulated by the personal care industry or the government.

“There are currently no guidelines or labeling standards for using the term ‘natural,’ so products that have as little as 1 percent natural ingredients can claim to be ‘natural,’” said Mike Indursky, chief marketing officer at Burt’s Bees. According to Indursky, the public is more interested in natural personal care products than ever, but consumers are still very confused about what constitutes a “natural” product. Burt’s Bees is working with the Natural Products Association and several competitors to ensure there is only one meaning for what is called “natural.”

Kay Berry launches new site

Pennsylvania-based cast stone accent manufacturer Kay Berry has launched a newly designed Web site kayberry.com. Designed to showcase a greater breath of the company’s product line and to offer a number of convenient, user-friendly search and information features, the new site offers a variety of information tools including a comprehensive product catalog searchable by category, store locator, details on company specials, sales, community service and more.

MCS Industries purchase software suite

Enhanced Retail Solutions (ERS), which creates software to help suppliers of the retail industry analyze product sales and trends, announced the purchase of its flagship software by MCS Industries, Inc. MCS is ERS’ first client in the home decor vertical.

With Desktop Analyst, manufacturers can more easily become involved in the management of their lines at the retail level and track their products through their entire retail lives. In a few simple steps, this software provides in-depth reporting on an individual SKU’s inventory, sales and projections -- all at door level.