Ernest Jones gains 5 star NMA Rating

Ernest Jones has been awarded a prestigious 5/5 rating in the New Media Age (NMA) based on their revamped website, which was completely overhauled in 2006 with online shopping functionality. Based on navigation, selection of products, returns policy, customer service, delivery and the absence of any technical problems, Ernest Jones was judged to be “almost the perfect e-tail site” by the industry commentator.

Commenting on the review, Nicky Brown, Head of Multi-Channel at Signet Group plc, parent company to Ernest Jones said:

“Ernest Jones is delighted to be recognised as a top e-commerce site by the NMA, and this is reflective of the effort we have put into the site to ensure that our customers experience the same levels of service and satisfaction that they do from shopping in-store.

"We have invested heavily in the design of the site to ensure a seamless transactional capability with over 2,000 diamond, jewellery and watch products available to purchase for delivery to any address in the UK or for collection in-store. The site also includes expert guidance on purchasing decisions, as well as a store locator for those who still want to shop on the high street”.

In particular, the review pays tribute to the promptness of the delivery service, returns policy, payment options and the simple but effective navigation right down to individual diamond rings and watches. These assets will have undoubtedly helped propel the site into the recently-released Hitwise Top 4 Fast moving Websites for November, which shows Ernest Jones dramatically increasing its visits in the four weeks ending November 25, 2006.

Despite only launching in September, the new e-commerce Ernest Jones has experienced a tremendous opening quarter, and the official endorsement from one of the UK's foremost media industry publications is testament to the high quality online shopping experience offered at Ernest Jones.

Notes to Editors:

Ernest Jones the diamond and watch specialist, with 207 stores nationwide, was established in 1949 and is part of Signet Group plc, the world's largest speciality retail jeweller. At 29 July 2006 Signet operated 1,847 speciality retail jewellery stores; these included 1,257 stores in the US, where the Group trades as "Kay Jewelers", "Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry" and under a number of regional names. At that date Signet operated 590 stores in the UK, where the Group trades as "H.Samuel", "Ernest Jones" and "Leslie Davis". Further information on Signet is available at http://www.signetgroupplc.com/.

Contact:

Deborah Sharpstone
Online Store Manager
Ernest Jones
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/
Signet Trading Ltd
Imperial Place 3
Maxwell Road
Borehamwood
WD6 1JN

Email: deborah.sharpstone@signet.co.uk
Tel: 020 8207 8327