Nifty Cool Streamlines Online Toy Store; Niles the Flying Pig Assists Shoppers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2000

Nifty Cool, Inc.(TM), a specialized online children's store at www.niftycool.com, recently relaunched its web site. Now Nifty Cool and its mascot Niles, the flying pig, make it easier for shoppers to find the right gift.

Redesigned to resemble a classically illustrated storybook with Niles as the narrator, niftycool.com helps shoppers select gifts by age or interest.

"Even with our success the past two years, we've learned a lot and wanted to make the customer shopping experience easier and more enjoyable," said Steve Goldman, President and CEO of the company.

Last year all orders, including those made Christmas Eve, were delivered by Christmas day. "Few e-retailers can make that claim," said Goldman. In addition, only four items were returned after the holiday season, none of which were for quality reasons. "This speaks volumes as to our product selection," added Goldman.

Goldman says besides continuing to provide a safe, secure and private shopping experience, the new niftycool.com, is faster loading and allows for better browsing and searching.

The online store categorizes products by age and type of item. "We try to make it easier for customers to select gifts that are appropriate and fun for the child," said Goldman. "This makes for happy kids and reduces the need to return items."

With more than 1,500 products, Nifty Cool offers more than toys including children's furniture, essentials for newborns and infants, as well as creative toys, books, music, software and more.

"Nifty Cool is not just another toy store," said Goldman, who recently opened a Nifty Cool brick-and-mortar store in Salt Lake City. "We fill a niche. Nifty Cool only sells quality children's specialty merchandise, targeting the toy disenfranchised -- those without access to or inclination to go into independent specialty toy stores, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles."

Nifty Cool realizes that gift shopping can make even the most patient adult cranky. That's why the company not only offers the "good stuff," but it provides best-of-class customer service, too. Unlike many online retailers, Nifty Cool ships internationally, provides free batteries and handwrites all gift cards. Plus items are returnable, for any reason, within 30 days of purchase.

Founded in 1998, Salt Lake City-based Nifty Cool, Inc. offers just the good stuff for kids.(TM) BizRate.com has awarded the company a 4 1/2 star, gold rating -- the highest level of online shopping performance and customer satisfaction. Gomez.com also certified Nifty Cool with its highest ranking of Pass Plus.