A|X Armani Exchange Introduces Two New Technologies To Upgrade Customer Service

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Global fashion brand A|X Armani Exchange upgrades its level of customer service with the development of 2 web-based programs, designed to bring more immediate service and style to online clients. Armani Exchange has designed a powerful online platform to drive consumers to a specially designed mobile e-Commerce site where consumers can shop the new seasonal collections, find stores nearby, watch videos, or read the A|X Styletraxx blog.

A|X has also developed an "on demand" shopping experience, allowing online shoppers to preorder items online and providing the option of same-day pickup at their nearest A|X retail store.

MOBILE SHOPPING

Armani Exchange continues to create innovative solutions to bridge creativity and commerce. With Generation Y making up the greater percentage of wireless users who are open to new marketing channels, Armani Exchange has created A|X Mobile Shopping. A|X Mobile is designed to make the A|X brand accessible to customers anytime, anywhere.

Today's retail consumer is enjoying the benefits of having smartphones like the Blackberry and iPhone. According to Gartner Group*, by 2012, 30% of smartphone users will use the Web to shop, resulting in 3% of the smartphone population conducting an eCommerce transaction. The A|X mobile version of the armaniexchange.com was developed in partnership with MarketLive, Inc., a leading eCommerce software and service provider for midsized retailers.

The mobile version of armaniexchange.com allows the smartphone user to purchase styles from the Armani Exchange collections. These shoppers can quickly navigate categories, browse merchandise, view color swatches, and purchase merchandise on the mobile storefront utilizing checkout processes designed specifically for smartphones. Further, users can locate the nearest A|X retail store via the smartphone's geo-location functionality.

The A|X mobile storefront will also deliver on-the-go customer service to build loyalty and customer satisfaction with features such as real-time order status and click-to-call customer service, and explore the lifestyle section of the website, giving them access to behind-the–scenes footage wallpapers, exclusive music and more.

IN-STORE PICKUP

To further enhance the customer service experience, Armaniexchange.com is also launching In-Store Pickup. Appealing to the traditional online shopper wishing for an experience of immediate gratification, In-Store Pickup allows for clients to select items online and purchase the items the same day or within 2 days from their local Armani Exchange retail store.

To utilize the In-Store Pickup feature, the shopper locates and selects the nearest A|X store by zip code. Once the store is selected, the shopper provides his or her contact info and the list of desired items, the site will then reserve and place the order with the selected store. When the order is ready for pick up (usually within 2 hours), the shopper will receive an email confirmation from the Store, inviting the shopper to come in and pick up the items.

ABOUT ARMANI EXCHANGE

A|X Armani Exchange was launched in 1991, aimed at a new generation of fast-fashion consumers – an accessible collection offering urban, individual style. With Armani Exchange, Mr. Armani interprets his sensual and unique style to create a casual, yet sophisticated collection for the young, urban and sexy. Today A|X Armani Exchange has an exclusive direct controlled retail network that currently comprises 175 freestanding stores in 26 countries.

The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today with 4,900 direct employees and 13 factories.  It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names:  Giorgio Armani Prive, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, AJ | Armani Jeans, A|X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior, Armani Baby and Armani Casa.  The Group's exclusive retail network currently comprises: 73 Giorgio Armani boutiques, 12 Armani Collezioni stores, 140 Emporio Armani stores, 175 A|X Armani Exchange stores, 18 AJ | Armani Jeans stores, 7 Armani Junior stores, 1 Giorgio Armani Accessori, 1 Emporio Armani Accessori store and 25 Armani Casa stores in 46 countries.  The Armani Group has also announced its intention to open a unique collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the world's most important cities and destinations.

SOURCE Armani Exchange