Click-and-Brick Retailing Comes Alive With GGP's Latest Strategic Partnership
With IBM; Companies Team to Deploy Interactive Kiosks at GGP Malls
CHICAGO, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing that New Economy consumers
shop both online and offline, General Growth Properties, Inc. (NYSE: GGP)
today announced its latest product offering in its pioneering effort to lead
retail convergence. To make click-and-brick retailing a reality, GGP has
joined forces with IBM (NYSE: IBM) to create interactive media stations
enabling local shoppers access at GGP's shopping centers. Working closely with
General Growth Properties, IBM applied its MerchantReach family of solutions
and kiosk expertise to design and build an interactive media station for the
mall environment. MallibuDirect allows local shoppers to access web-enabled
businesses at GGP malls.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990208/CGM015 )
MallibuDirect provides online retailers and service companies with a new
cost-effective and secure vehicle to market their stores and products through
an interactive media station located in GGP's physical malls. GGP's
MallibuDirect creates a new interactive sales and advertising network for
online retailers and service providers wanting to unite their "clicks" with
GGP's "bricks". Net pure-plays gain:
-- Direct access to millions of GGP's in-mall shoppers
-- A brick-and-mortar presence without any construction costs within the
physical mall
-- A new marketing/promotional and acquisition channel available at a
fraction of what online retailers would typically spend
"Today's launch of MallibuDirect -- combined with GGP's major eBusiness
initiatives announced earlier this year -- vividly underscores GGP's
commitment to further bridge the gap between traditional retail and the
digital marketplace," said Charlie Graves, senior vice president of General
Growth Properties.
GGP's Stonebriar Centre in Frisco (Dallas), Texas and RiverTown Crossings
Mall in Grandville (Grand Rapids), Michigan will be the first in a series of
GGP regional shopping centers to incorporate MallibuDirect. The early August
launch of MallibuDirect allows GGP to feature service businesses and dot-com
companies whose products are not typically found in the current retail tenant
mix at the mall. MallibuDirect comprises six computer workstations with high-
resolution touch-tone screens located throughout the malls. Each workstation
will host 12 online companies and include access to GGP's Mallibu.com site.
Plasma screens and back-lit displays for brand messaging and product features
are also included on the kiosks. To date, GGP has already signed agreements
with several companies to participate in its MallibuDirect program. Art.com,
AutoMallRewards.com, Kozyhome.com, Hirelink.com from Decision Point Systems,
and ehobbies.com are among the dot-com companies that will be featured in
GGP's interactive kiosks.
Art.com's president, John Hallberg says, "MallibuDirect will allow Art.com
to further extend its brand to off-line customers who are in the mind-set to
shop."
"Partnering with General Growth to create a co-branded HireLink job site
at MallibuDirect solves a mission critical problem for retailers and gives
General Growth's shoppers an easy way to learn about job opportunities," said
Robert Gregg, President and Chief Operating Officer of Decision Point Systems.
MallibuDirect brings the benefits of Interactive Kiosks to Regional Mall
Shoppers
MallibuDirect offers consumers more variety, convenience and value to
their shopping experience. Regional mall shoppers gain the opportunity to
readily connect to unique online shopping and services sites, research online
retailers, find the latest digital promotions and contests, and conduct online
shopping. Shoppers will also be able to view mall store directories and in-
mall store sales information.
"Our vision is to be a 'CUSTOM'er-built company, giving our shoppers WHAT
they want, WHEN they want it and WHERE they want it. MallibuDirect helps us
accomplish this goal," said John Bucksbaum, CEO, General Growth Properties,
Inc.
MallibuDirect is the latest extension of GGP's Mallibu program. In June,
GGP introduced Mallibu.com, http://www.mallibu.com , the company's fully interactive
shopping center destination. Mallibu.com serves as the only e-commerce site
that links brick-and-mortar retailers in a GGP mall to the dynamic content,
information gathering, personalization and the distribution advantages of the
Internet.
About General Growth Properties
General Growth Properties, Inc., is one of the nation's largest shopping
center owners, managers and developers. General Growth currently has ownership
interest in, or management responsibility for, a portfolio of 136 regional
shopping malls in 37 states. The company portfolio totals more than 116
million square feet of retail space and includes over 15,000 retailers
nationwide. A publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), General
Growth Properties is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
GGP. For more information on General Growth Properties please visit the
company Web site at http://www.generalgrowth.com .
SOURCE General Growth Properties, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.mallibu.com
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PR Newswire Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110740.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 110740
CONTACT:
David Keating, Media Relations Coordinator,
312-960-6325, fax, 312-960-5484, Keith Maladra, Vice President,
312-960-5413, fax, 312-960-6499, both of General Growth
Properties, Inc.
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