2Market corrects and replaces Online Gift Experts Liven-Up Holiday Shopping; 2Market's Holiday Edition Gift-Shopping CD-ROM Connects Consumers to Shopping Pros Online release.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1995--Over 400,000 interactive shoppers will begin receiving 2Market's Holiday Edition gift-shopping CD-ROM this week, which contains thousands of products and services from Eddie Bauer, FAO Schwarz, Tower Records and 16 other merchants.

The CD-ROM uses a new technology that connects consumers to live professional gift experts and customer service staff through a unique one-button link from the CD-ROM to America Online's (AOL) consumer online service.

2Market's e-mail connection between the CD-ROM and its online services is unique in the industry and allows consumers to ask advice from professional gift experts who assist shoppers with questions such as, what to buy for the "Aunt Who Has Everything" or the "Boss Who Needs Everything." To receive assistance in completing holiday shopping tasks, the 2Market customer simply describes the person, gift category or desired item and forwards a message through an automatic connection between the CD-ROM and the customer's AOL e-mail account. The customer will receive in return, gift suggestions, price ranges and ordering instructions. 2Market shoppers can send e-mail messages to customer service representatives through the same direct connection. Shoppers also receive periodic updates of product prices, new product additions and special promotions -- all automatically sent to the user's desktop from a direct America Online connection and viewed through the 2Market CD-ROM.

"The Holiday season can be a hectic, problematic season for many consumers, making 2Market a welcome alternative to crowded malls and one-dimensional catalogs," said Tom Burt, chief operating officer. "With 2Market's CD-ROM/online connection, customers can receive gift-shopping advice or rapid responses from customer service without waiting in lines or on the phone. 2Market has not only made shopping far more convenient, we have `humanized' electronics shopping."

Nineteen Merchants, $150 in Promotions and Discounts

Nineteen merchants and four sponsors appear on 2Market's Holiday Edition. Four of these merchants are new to the 2Market shopping service: FAO Schwarz (toys and games), Eddie Bauer (apparel and items for the home), Fossil Watches (watches and accessories) and Felissimo (gifts and personal items). In addition, Greet Street (greeting cards) and Starbucks Coffee are making their first appearance on 2Market's CD-ROM after successful retailing experiences with 2Market's America Online shopping area (keyword: 2Market).

Along with their products, merchants have created more than $150 in discounts, promotions and other money saving offers for 2Market CD-ROM shoppers.

"Sometimes people think of electronic shopping as cold and impersonal," said Mike Minigan, vice president of marketing. "But 2Market is adding personal touches to the technologies' fast, efficient services. Our growing population of women shoppers, and our male audience, has been enthusiastic about the online price and product updates. Obtaining gift advice and customer services from real people -- our trained professional staff -- through e-mail is a natural extension of this interactivity."

The proportion of women shopping on 2Market's CD-ROM and AOL site nearly doubled in the first nine months of 1995, Minigan added. He said 2Market attributes the growth of women customers to the company's attention to both merchandise mix, and services such as gift advice, special promotions and price updates.

The Holiday Edition CD-ROM can be used by anyone with a Macintosh or Windows-based personal computer equipped with a CD-ROM drive. Orders for gift merchandise can be placed by modem, fax or 800 number. For those consumers who do not have AOL accounts, the CD-ROM offers a sign-up bonus of 10 free hours of service to new customers.

2Market distributes CD-ROMs to its internal customer list, through bundle arrangements with various organizations and through its AOL site (keyword: 2Market). In addition, 2Market's AOL site will carry many new products for the Holiday shopping season. The 2Market CD-ROM can be ordered for $3.95 (shipping and handling) by calling 800/622-6600.

About 2Market, Inc.

2Market is a privately held company based in San Mateo, Calif., founded by Apple Computer, Inc., America Online, Inc. and Medior Inc., a company recently acquired by America Online. 2Market delivers interactive shopping services on CD-ROMs and in the Marketplace site on America Online (keyword: 2Market). -0-

Note to Editors: Please see separate release on the Holiday Edition merchants.

CONTACT: 2Market

Mike Minigan, 415/525-4702

[e-mail]

or

Complete Communications

Katie Nosbisch, 319/387-0702

[e-mail]

Judy Tarabini, 510/855-9522

[e-mail]