Coastal.com Wins Gold Medal Marketing Award From The Hub Magazine
October 18 2012 - 9:00AM
Coastal Contacts Inc. (TSX:COA) (Stockholm:COA.ST) ("Coastal.com"
or "Coastal"), one of the largest online retailers of eyeglasses
and contact lenses, has been awarded a gold medal in the 2nd Annual
Hub Prize Competition, honoring excellence in the retail
experience.
The Hub Magazine is an industry leading marketing journal
recognized for identifying and analyzing innovative marketing
strategies and trends. With a panel of 30 diverse judges ranging
from academics to veterans of major retail brands, The Hub Prize
Competition awarded Coastal.com a gold medal for its First Pair
Free eyeglasses promotion.
"We believe that receiving this award is a strong endorsement of
Coastal's ability to develop and execute a disruptive marketing
strategy in the large and fragmented eyeglasses category,"
commented Roger Hardy, Coastal.com's founder and CEO. "Other
nominees were companies like McDonald's, Safeway, Duane Reade,
Pepsi/7-Eleven, Staples and Whole Foods, many of whom are
represented by large advertising agencies. Our First Pair Free
program was developed in-house and implemented by our world class
marketing team."
With Coastal.com's customer-driven focus, the company was
recognized specifically for establishing a no-risk business model
through its First Pair Free campaign – a program that The Hub
Magazine dubbed as "a bold move with very impressive results."
Coastal.com believes customers will be delighted with their
entire experience, especially given the first pair of prescription
glasses purchased are free. To further convince consumers to make
their eyewear purchases on the web, Coastal.com promises to also
include virtual try on, free return shipping, and a 366 day return
policy – because 365 days just isn't enough.
Aaron Magness, Coastal.com's VP of Marketing, commented: "We
believe that as a result of the First Pair Free program, we have
seen an uptick in new customer acquisition around the globe. Even
more exciting is the fact that over 70% of new customers surveyed
said they would be purchasing again from Coastal within the next
six months."
Coastal.com is the first online eyewear company to receive a Hub
Prize.
About Coastal Contacts Inc.
Coastal Contacts strives to empower customers to easily browse,
try on and buy eyewear, with the goal of saving time, money and
sanity. With every pair of qualifying frames purchased, Coastal
Contacts donates a pair to someone in need through its Change the
View project. Founded in 2000, Coastal Contacts designs, produces
and distributes among the one of the largest selection of
eyeglasses and contact lenses on the Internet, including a unique
combination of designer eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses, and
vision care accessories. Coastal Contacts serves customers in more
than 150 countries through the Coastal Contacts family of websites
including: Coastal.com, ClearlyContacts.ca, Lensway.com,
Lensway.co.uk, Lensway.se, Lensway.com.br, ClearlyContacts.com.au,
ClearlyContacts.co.nz, Contactsan.com, and Coastallens.com.
Forward Looking Statements
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of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words
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Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current
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Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are
difficult to predict.
Persons reading this news release are cautioned that
forward-looking statements or information are only predictions, and
that our actual future results or performance may be materially
different due to a number of factors. Reference should also be made
to the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in our most
recently filed Annual Information Form dated December 14, 2011 for
a detailed description of the risks and uncertainties relating to
our business. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual
results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and
information, which are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement. These forward-looking statements are made as
of the date of this news release and we expressly disclaim any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements,
unless we specifically state otherwise and except as required by
applicable law.
CONTACT: Terry Vanderkruyk
Vice President, Corporate Development
Coastal Contacts Inc.
604.676.4498
terryv@coastal.com
or
Liolios Group Inc.
Scott Liolios or Cody Slach
Tel 949.574.3860
COA@liolios.com