USWeb/CKS, BT to Provide Online Retail Consulting

BT (British Telecommunications plc) and USWeb/CKS are launching a consulting service for online shopping initiatives in the United Kingdom.

The new service signed home shopping brand NEXT as its first customer.

BT’s Internet & Multimedia Services division and USWeb/CKS in the UK, an Internet technology and marketing communications firm, will offer a range of online services from strategic planning to technology design and implementation to help retailers develop and maximize their online presence.

The new consulting service analyses a retailer’s existing business processes and develops an action plan integrating both marketing and technology related issues.

The service also develops strategies and systems that will enable secure and rapid purchasing, confirmation and order tracking, as well as audience and brand development through one-to-one relationship marketing. Existing sales and marketing systems are integrated and measurement and analysis tools provided, the companies said.

“Online shopping in the UK is growing rapidly and is forecast to be a market worth $10.2 billion by 2003, according to Verdict Research,” said Neil MacDonald, general manager, business Internet services of BT’s Internet & Multimedia Services division. “Britain’s retailers risk being left behind in the electronic retail revolution as half have no online presence and many sites that do exist offer no way for the customer to buy online.”

“The time has come for UK retailers to have an effective online presence that is fully integrated with their other marketing initiatives,” said Neal Gandhi, client services director at USWeb/CKS. “USWeb/CKS has a strong track record in the UK and U.S. in online shopping. With clients like Levi Strauss and Dockers, we will bring the benefits of our experience to leading UK retailers.”