Mothercare PLC Launches New Multi-Channel E-commerce Platform

Mothercare PLC, the leading parenting brand, and Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe, part of the Amazon.com Inc. group of companies, today announced that Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe has built and launched a new state-of-the-art multi-channel e-commerce platform for Mothercare, using the proven technology and expertise of Amazon. The new www.mothercare.com website is solely branded as Mothercare. It promotes and sells the existing Mothercare Direct (online and catalogue) range of products. The role of Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe is to provide the e-commerce engine behind the website, in-store and call centre applications. Fulfilment and logistics will continue to be provided by Mothercare’s existing suppliers. This new platform provides significantly improved functionality, speed and reliability, and will help underpin Mothercare’s growth ambitions, built around establishing itself as a truly multi-channel retailer. Mothercare’s Direct business, comprising web in home, telephone catalogue ordering and web-in-store ordering system, is a £40m business which has grown by 26% since last year. The new site increases the range of products, services and information offered to customers and enables them to move around the site much more intuitively, search for products more effectively and compare products more easily. It is also fully integrated with the Mothercare call centre and web-in-store ordering system. In the future, the site will offer additional enhanced capabilities, such as a multi-channel gift registry service. Ben Gordon, Mothercare Chief Executive, said: "Our Direct business is growing rapidly and this project will not only cater for that growth, but will strengthen Mothercare’s position as a true multi-channel retailer. Amazon is helping us transform the capability of Mothercare online by providing us with the best e-commerce technology in the world. The upgraded platform and redesign will enhance the marketing and shop-ability of our website to the benefit of our customers, allowing us to improve and extend the ranges we have available online and ultimately drive sales.” Eric Broussard, Vice President, Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe, said: "Amazon Enterprise Solutions is thrilled to be teaming with Mothercare. Amazon and Mothercare are two brands with a passion for developing the best possible experiences for our customers. Mothercare can focus on its core business while we focus on making sure Mothercare’s customers enjoy a much-enhanced, intuitive and reliable multi-channel shopping experience.” About Mothercare Direct Mothercare Direct is made up of two businesses – Direct-in-Home, which is the catalogue and web-in-home business, and the Direct-in-Store business, with all UK stores being web enabled. Mothercare.com is now the number one parenting site for content and e-commerce in the UK. Mothercare.com receives one million site visits per month. Many Mothercare customers take a multi-channel approach to shopping, using a number of channels before deciding where and when to make a purchase. For example, Mothercare sends out four million catalogues a year and more than 30 percent of people who visit the site are researching purchases they will actually make in store. About Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe works with retailers to help grow their online and multi-channel businesses. By working with Amazon Enterprise Solutions Europe, retailers can combine their own brands with the e-commerce expertise, proven technology, and operational infrastructure of Amazon to create a world-class online shopping experience for their customers. Amazon Enterprise Solutions is part of the Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) group of companies. Amazon Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment centre optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, significant amount of indebtedness, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, payments, fraud, consumer trends, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and all subsequent filings.