“Once one of our agents begins speaking with you, they are completely focused on you,” Cicero emphasized. “Our IVR has gathered your basic information, and our agent has everything at his or her fingertips, ready to assist you. Additionally, we no longer burden customers with offers of magazines, insurance or buying clubs. Again, we are 100% dedicated to your needs.” 

If you happen to be indecisive about a particular product, whether on the phone or online, actual reviews and ratings of Lillian Vernon items by other customers can be consulted to help you reach a conclusion. No X-ray vision is required. 

“ ‘Word of mouth’ is an incredibly powerful way to offer merchandise,” said Kristen Montella, Vice President of Lillian Vernon Online. “We’re proud of what we sell, and we want to engage our customers because it gives us so much valuable insight into both our products and the shopper. We share the information because we want our customers to be confident when making a purchase.” 

If indecision doesn’t plague you but the villainy of forgetfulness does, Montella suggests trying “Lilly’s Reminders,” a free online gift reminder service which will notify you of important occasions. 

What’s that, super memory? 

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a birthday, anniversary or national holiday—we’re light years ahead of the old ‘string around the finger routine!’” she said. “We won’t forget about you, and you won’t forget about your loved one. We’ll even ship directly to the giftee’s address, if you need to.” 

And if you ever forget to “give at the office,” Lillian Vernon lends a hand by offering merchandise on iBakeSale.com. Shoppers who go to http://www.ibakesale.com can use this free fundraising program to support any charity or community organization by purchasing goods online at lillianvernon.com, as well as receive up to 5% cash back on every purchase. 

Now we’re talking super citizenship! 

“Supporting the community has always been one of our highest priorities,” Montella said. 

This thoughtfulness is but one of many “soft touches” you’ll experience while shopping with Lillian Vernon. Another is $14.98, or what Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Michelle Gershkovich, deems the “sweet spot.” 

Ahh, super savings. 

“Affordability is important to our customers, and we want to provide our shoppers with gift oriented products, organizational and storage items, creative kid’s toys and decorations which are decorative, functional, inexpensive and conveniently delivered right to the doorstep or mailbox,” she said.  

One example of this convenience and affordability is Lillian Vernon’s continuing offer of free personalization on hundreds of unique items, a company hallmark for over 56 years. Today, about half of Lillian Vernon’s products can be customized with names, initials, monograms or sayings using various methods such as engraving, embroidery, embossing, lasering and sandblasting. 

“Our aim has always been to help our customers make a personal statement at a low cost,” Gershkovich continued. “We want it to be fun and easy to create unique gifts, which is why we guarantee complete satisfaction even if the product has been personalized. The Lillian Vernon shopping experience is truly risk-free.” 

That’s initial “S” as in, ahem, “Super.” 

With your ordering concluded, a newly reorganized warehouse prepares it for it’s final destination: your home. Depending on the delivery service you select, your package will arrive as soon as the next business day. If you need it immediately, it flies. 

“We’ve cleared the decks,” Anderson beamed. “We’ve cleaned out all our old SKUs, swept away the old problems we hadn’t dealt with before, and we’ve brought our corporate headquarters together with our distribution center—we’re all under one roof, cooperating, communicating and getting back to the heart of our business: the customer. 

“The customer and Lillian Vernon are an unbeatable team.” 

Super friends, perhaps? 

About Lillian Vernon Corporation

Lillian Vernon Corporation is a leading American catalog merchant and online retailer that sells household, organizational, children’s and fashion accessory products. A pioneer in customized merchandise, Lillian Vernon offers 14 different kinds of personalization and personalizes 5.3 million products a year. With one of the largest personalization departments in America, Lillian Vernon offers a wide variety of products that allow customers to make a personal statement at a low cost. In business since 1951, the company publishes two catalog titles: Lillian Vernon and Lilly’s Kids. Lillian Vernon’s corporate headquarters and distribution center are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Lillian Vernon has been owned by Sun Capital Partners, Inc. since 2006.

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 140 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $33.0 billion since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, and affiliates with offices in London, Tokyo, and Shenzhen, China.

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