photowow.com Beats Economic Downturn With Huge Growth in Holiday Profits
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31, 2001-- As businesses ring in final sales
from the bleakest holiday shopping season of the decade, few retailers have
exceeded industry expectations for consumer spending. But, Los Angeles-based
retail and e-tail boutique, photowow.com, joined heavy hitters like Wal-Mart
and Yahoo! in increasing revenues this holiday season.
photowow.com, a privately-owned company that creates artwork from customer
photographs, increased sales by 80 percent in December, as compared to last
year. The digital arts boutique works one-on-one with customers to turn their
photographs into large custom-framed canvas artwork, up to four feet by five
feet, in any of 40 design styles, from Warhol and Liechtenstein pop art to
collages and watercolor looks.
photowow.com`s sales increase is especially remarkable considering
financial analysts` prognostication that if retail was to see any increase in
consumer holiday spending, it would be miniscule.
"The tragic events of September 11 combined with a shrinking economy seems
to have caused holiday shoppers to spend less money. But with the money they
did spend, they bought their loved ones personal, heartfelt gifts," says
Robert Schiff, CEO of photowow.com. "I think there is a stronger demand for
our artwork because it uniquely immortalizes family members."
In fact, consumer interest in photowow.com`s artwork rapidly expanded
throughout 2001, increasing sales by 50 percent as compared with the last
fiscal year. The expansion in profits is largely due to its new e-commerce
site at http://www.photowow.com and added locations throughout the Southland.
"We`ve been very fortunate to have had such a great 2001," says Schiff.
"And with our 70 percent rate of repeat business, our mega-star clientele, and
our unique products, we look forward to an even better 2002."
Moving into 2002, photowow.com is combining its graphics, printing and
framing facilities into a 2,700-square foot production studio and retail
showroom at 11950 Wilshire Blvd. in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of West
L.A. The new location will offer greater visibility for walk-in traffic and
more efficient operations.
photowow.com was founded in December 1997 by Robert Schiff, a former
Florida attorney who came to Los Angeles to pursue a more creative profession.
photowow.com has three retail locations in Southern California (Brentwood,
Encino and Valencia) and an e-tail outlet at http://www.photowow.com . For more
information, visit the web site or call 1-800-453-9333.
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