CHICAGO—Internet Retailer magazine has named three online optical retailers—1-800-CONTACTS, Coastal.com and Rivet & Sway— Hot 100 E-Retailers of 2013. While Coastal.com won in the Mobile Commerce category, both 1-800 CONTACTS and Rivet & Sway were honored in the Specialty/Non-Apparel category.
 
1-800 CONTACTS, a subsidiary of managed health care company, WellPoint, Inc., (NYSE: WLP), was recognized for its Glasses.com 3D virtual try-on (VTO) technology. (WellPoint purchased 1-800 CONTACTS last year, as reported June 4, 2012 by VMail.) Visitors to the Glasses.com website can take a video of their face, which is then used to virtually try on frames. The VTO app was introduced by Glasses.com in May, as reported April 15, 2013 by VMail. “We’re removing obstacles from online shoppers’ purchasing paths,” said Amy Larson, 1-800 CONTACTS’ vice president of e-commerce.
 
Ritzy, Rivet & Sway’s personal stylist, earned this women’s eyeglasses e-retailer its place on Internet Retailer’s Hot 100 list. After the online shopper answers some questions about her face shape and selects three frames for shipping, she can e-mail pictures to Ritzy who will then collaborate with her on which ones look best. Women who use the personal stylist are 30 percent more likely to buy than those who don’t, according to Rivet & Sway.
 
Internet Retailer magazine recognized Coastal.com for its Mobile 2.0 initiative as a retailer making innovative use of mobile technologies. "We are delighted to be recognized for the results our team has generated with Coastal.com's evolving mobile platform," stated Braden Hoeppner, Coastal.com's vice president, web sales, who discussed Coastal’s mobile strategies in Vision Monday’s March 18, 2013 cover story, “Attracting Eyeballs to Eyeglasses and Closing the Sale.” Coastal.com also made another “top” list for 2013, Canadian executive search firm, Waterstone Human Capital’s Canada’s Ten Most Admired Corporate Cultures.