Accoona continues to consolidate its operations
The consolidation and systems integration continues at Accoona Corp.
In early 2006, Accoona acquired web-only retailer Skynet Communications Corp., No. 138 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.
Accoona.com is primarily a search engine. But the acquisition of Skynet enabled the parent company to extend its reach into new and existing markets. Accoona Corp. is positioning itself as a broader Internet services and retailing company, says CEO Stuart Kauder. “We have developed our own cost-per-lead Internet advertising platform,” he says. “We have search engines in the United States, Europe and China, but also own several e-commerce companies and a shopping comparison search engine called BuyersEdge.com.”
The e-retail businesses focus mainly on consumer electronics, flat screen TVs in particular, but also include housewares, appliances and décor. URLs include LCDTVs.com, ButterflyPhoto.com, DigitalETailer.com, and NYLiving.com.
Web sales grew by 6% in 2006 even as Accoona focused on consolidation and understanding its businesses, Kauder says, and learning to cross market and remarket its products.
One objective has been consolidating operations into a 55,000 square foot warehouse in South Plainfield, N.J. That follows the map to expansion “over the next couple of years,” Kauder says. “We’ll be combining infrastructures, technology, product lines and our commitment to consumers.”
Accoona is in the final negotiation stage with two vendors. The winner will implement a new back-end system to link the company’s businesses. Also in the works are web site redesigns, which will be done by in-house technology staff.
The company will tap Accoona’s corporate marketing, creative and graphic design for the site redesigns as well as new e-commerce projects, says John Fernandez, director of marketing.
All technology improvements are expected to be completed sometime this year, Kauder says, and will contribute toward the goal of improving service. Product line expansion is expected in the housewares arena, possibly including home and garden merchandise, he adds.
The Accoona name comes from the Swahili phrase “hakuna matata.” It means “no worries,” which the company takes as its mantra regarding customer service and satisfaction. The phrase was popular in the 1990s with the success of Disney’s animated movie “The Lion King.”
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