Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s Newest Brand, Williams-Sonoma Home, Launches E-Commerce Site www.wshome.com; The Launch of E-Commerce Completes the Company's Multi-Channel Strategy for Williams-Sonoma Home

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) today announced theintroduction of online shopping destination www.wshome.com for itspremium home furnishings brand, Williams-Sonoma Home. Initiallyintroduced via catalog in the fall of 2004, it is the first brand inthe Williams-Sonoma(R) family of brands to focus exclusively on thepremium level of the home furnishings market. The launch of e-commerceenables customers to shop, browse, or simply be inspired by the fullassortment of European craftsmanship with a casual American style andelegance previously accessible to a limited audience in exclusiveshowrooms, decorator show-houses or through an interior designprofessional. The site www.wshome.com marks its official launch onMonday, August 14, 2006.

The hallmarks of the brand -- designer services, incrediblequality, style, design and a focus on the customer experience -- willbe incorporated in the website offering. Beyond the standard featuresand services customers have come to expect from all Williams-Sonomabrand websites, Williams-Sonoma Home features a comprehensivefurniture preview tool and an impressive depth of visual images (someproducts have up 24 different image views) with enhanced color anddetail viewing capabilities that bring even the smoothest buttery softItalian leather to life.

"During the almost two years since we launched the brand, we'velearned a lot about our Williams-Sonoma Home customer," according toDave DeMattei, group president Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Homeand west elm brands. "We know our core customer is a well-traveled,educated and technically savvy individual that likes to use theInternet to access information and to shop," DeMattei said.

The website, like the catalog and retail stores, will sellbeautifully crafted custom-upholstered furniture in an expandedselection of over 100 designer fabrics on a choice of over 30 uniquesilhouettes. A broader selection of merchandise than what is currentlyoffered in the catalog or retail stores will be available, includinghandcrafted wood furniture, lighting, tableware, imported bedding anddecorative accessories.

"Our goal with the e-commerce channel arm of the Williams-SonomaHome brand is to bring the full breadth and assortment to life in avisually enticing, easy-to-navigate experience that complements ourcatalog and retail stores," continued DeMattei. "Online technologyenables us to offer an even wider depth and assortment than what wecan show in a catalog or at any one time in a retail store setting,"DeMattei concluded.

About Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a nationwide specialty retailer of highquality products for the home. These products, representing sixdistinct merchandise strategies -- Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn,Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, west elm and Williams-Sonoma Home -- aremarketed through 569 stores, seven mail order catalogs and sixe-commerce websites.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements thatinvolve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if theydo not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our resultsto differ materially from those expressed or implied by suchforward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements includestatements relating to the launch of www.wshome.com.

The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differmaterially from those expressed or implied by such forward-lookingstatements include delays in the launch of www.wshome.com and otherrisks and uncertainties contained in our public announcements, reportsto shareholders and other documents filed with or furnished to theSecurities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2006 and allsubsequent report on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Allforward-looking statements in this press release are based oninformation available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume noobligation to update these forward-looking statements.