RS Components Wins 'Best eCommerce Marketing Initiative' at the eCommerce Awards for Excellence

OXFORD, England, October 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has won 'Best eCommerce Marketing Initiative' at the eCommerce Awards for Excellence 2011. The award was presented for the company's successful Search Engine Marketing (SEM) strategy. RS was also highly commended in the 'International e-Retail Award' and 'Best Customer Service Award' categories. The competition for the awards included ASOS, Coast, Hostelbookers.com, Shop Direct Group and Wiggle.

Keith Reville, General Manager eCommerce at Electrocomponents, said: "This is a real achievement for our business, not only to be recognised by one of the world's leading industry bodies for eCommerce, but also to see our brand out there competing and winning eCommerce awards against very well known B2C brands. This acknowledges the significant achievements we have made with our website and online services in order to meet our customers' needs."

As part of its customer-focused eCommerce strategy, RS has implemented a successful SEM initiative that has catalysed a dramatic cultural shift in the company. RS is working to become more ubiquitous in key outlets like Google and SEM has become a vital channel for RS customers. The SEM strategy has realised a significant rise in search marketing revenue and search traffic, as well as increased investment and continuously improving performance.

RS boasts 60 websites across the world, with the majority in respective local languages. A recent transformation of its eCommerce website has significantly enhanced the online experience for its customers. The company's eCommerce strategy has driven significant business growth; eCommerce revenue grew by around 27% in the first half of the Group's financial year and now represents around 54% of Group sales. RS is continuously improving its eCommerce offering through further customer engagement via the website, its call centre, and online tools.

The eCommerce Awards for Excellence recognise and celebrate companies in the UK that are driving the eCommerce industry forward. The awards cover all parts of the eCommerce process from mobile commerce and payment solutions to customer service, marketing and start-up companies.

About RS Components

RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products. Through operations in 32 countries and 17 warehouses, the Group serves 1.6 million customers worldwide and distributes 550,000 products ranging from semiconductors and optoelectronics to power tools and protective clothing. The product and service portfolio supports the entire product lifecycle from R&D through pre-production to maintenance and repair. The Group ships more than 46,000 parcels on the same day the orders are received.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year to 31 March 2011 had revenues of £1.18bn.

For more information, please visit the website at http://www.rs-components.com.

More information is available via these links:

RS Components on Linkedin
http://www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

Electrocomponents plc
http://www.electrocomponents.com

RS Components
http://www.rs-components.com