> Gift-givers get online help from Walnut Creek software developer
1999
As the 1999 wedding season revs into high gear, it's now possible for guests attending those elaborate social rituals to peruse the Internet in search of the perfect gift.

A multilingual, Web browser version of GiftRegistryWorks - a product of Walnut Creek-based MarCole Enterprises - is already being used by a handful of retailers offering gift registries for weddings, showers and other social events. New Jersey-based Linens ` Things, which operates 196 stores in 38 states, and the 14-store ZCMI department store chain, based in Salt Lake City, are among the first companies to purchase the system.

GiftRegistryWorks lists the gift preferences of couples registered with those stores, giving guests the ability to find out gift information by product category and/ or price ranges, view color images of registered products and print out gift lists.

"We want customers to have the same experience whether they're in the store or at home on the Internet," said David Pava, MarCole's vice president of sales.

Because MarCole officials expect interest in GiftRegistryWorks from retailers abroad as well as at home, the product is also available in Spanish, and can be translated into any other language requested by potential clients. This should appeal to domestic retailers who cater to an increasingly diverse population within the U.S., said Pava.

"Electronic commerce is clearly something of interest to retailers here and around the world, and we feel this product is ideally suited to tap into that growing segment of the industry."

Ron Coleman, chief executive officer of MarCole, said the Web browser version of GiftRegistryWorks has the same "integrity, speed and simple user-interface" as the in-store product already used by a number of retailers.

"There is tremendous opportunity for growth in this area," said Coleman, noting that gift registries in the U.S. alone generate $17 billion annually. "Gift registries now account for three-quarters of our business."

MarCole plans to add new features by late summer, said Coleman, allowing couples or individuals to preregister online - instead of having to visit a store - and for guests to purchase merchandise on the Web, also eliminating the need to travel to a store.

Pava expressed the hope other retailers will soon jump on the GiftRegistryWorks bandwagon.

"This is a solution designed for department stores, as well as specialty stores and mass merchandisers," said Pava, adding that those attending baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming, charity events or other occasions will also be able to take advantage of the service.

MarCole is a privately held firm that also has designed and installed in-store gift registry software and other shopping systems for Office Depot, HomePlace, The Good Guys, Target and Baby Target stores in Australia and the Pennsylvania-based Boscov department store chain.

David Goll, Copyright 1999 American City Business Journals Inc.

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