Kaboodle Launches Two New Features: Independent Designers Channel and Product Popularity Index

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its mission to be the Web's premier source for discovering the best products as determined by real consumers, Kaboodle (http://www.kaboodle.com), the largest social Web site for passionate shoppers, today unveiled its All Things Indie channel (www.kaboodle.com/channel/indie) and the Kaboodle Pop10 product popularity index (http://www.kaboodle.com/pop10/etsy-floral-jewelry).

The All Things Indie channel drives product discovery by showcasing a collection of community-selected products from boutique brands and retailers and individual artists from all over the world. It is also home to independent designer profiles and Kaboodle's weekly "Etsy Inside Scoop" report, which offers trend forecasts, exclusive discounts, and curated collections of the best new finds on Etsy, the Web's top source for handmade goods.

The channel is in direct response to shoppers' interests and Kaboodle's overall mission to enable consumers to easily find the very best products from all sources in one location. VP of Content and Community Erika Lenkert explains, "Our shopping community has always been very supportive of and enthusiastic about harder-to-find, unique products as well as the best finds from national brands. They love mixing staples from larger retailers with unusual pieces from independent designers because it helps them define their individual style. But until now, the best of indie creations have been hard to find. The channel makes the hunt for special items much easier."

The All Things Indie channel also hosts the first Kaboodle Pop10, the company's new product popularity index. To determine the Pop10, shoppers are presented with a range of items, chosen based on community interest and editorial selection. They then have a limited period of time to vote on their favorite products in various categories; the 10 items with the most votes are showcased, in order of popularity, on Kaboodle in a special Pop10 section of the site.

The first Pop10 will focus on floral-themed jewelry exclusively from Etsy designers. According to Lenkert, "Kaboodle and Etsy are a natural fit for collaboration given their similarly passionate shopping communities. The Kaboodle Pop10 helps the Kaboodle community mine the rich expanse of handmade and vintage items on Etsy to discover and shop directly from their favorite designers."

Future Pop10s will include some advertiser sponsorship opportunities and the ability to syndicate Pop10 voting and results to partner sites so consumers can identify trends and best buys in real-time wherever they are browsing.

About Kaboodle

Kaboodle (www.kaboodle.com), a Hearst Corporation-owned and operated property, is the Internet's largest social website for passionate shoppers. Kaboodle's shopping tools allow users to add products from anywhere online to their Kaboodle lists. As a result, it is home to the world's most exclusive catalog of user-curated products, making it the trusted source for discovering, sharing, and buying products from retailers large and small. With more than 16 million unique monthly visitors and a devoted community perpetually adding more finds, Kaboodle provides the ultimate platform for connecting people with products. Kaboodle was acquired by Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) in August 2007 and is part of the Hearst Magazines Digital Media site network.  

SOURCE Kaboodle