Shopatron Launches More Than 40 Brands on International Platform

Shopatron today announced it has signed and deployed 46 companies on the international platform of its eCommerce solution, Confident Order Exchange (Coex) Freedom. The company also announced that it acquired 60 new branded manufacturers during the third quarter of 2008.

“The opening of our first European office earlier this year was driven by our customers’ demands abroad, so they can partner with retailers and offer ultimate customer satisfaction wherever their goods are sold,” said Ed Stevens, founder and CEO of Shopatron. “The demands for speed and convenience from online shoppers continue to grow in Europe as they do in the United States. The seamless integration of Coex Freedom into the existing retail infrastructure puts manufacturers and retailers overseas ahead of the game, allowing them to meet the needs of consumers immediately.”

Coex Freedom allows manufacturers to direct online orders to local retail stores. Consumers then have the option to receive the order via postal service, ground courier or express delivery, or pick up items in-store the same day. Shoppers can also order items online to be installed by experts, either at home or at a service location. Additionally, they can choose to have big-ticket items shipped to a local store to save on shipping costs.

Forrester Research, an independent research company, in a June 2006 report titled ‘Europe’s eCommerce Forecast: 2006 To 2011’ has predicted that by 2011, the number of online shoppers in Europe will grow by 76 percent to 176 million, a significant portion of all the 242 million Europeans online. Experts at Forrester also anticipate that as soon as 2009, online retail will account for eight percent of total retail sales in Europe.

“We recently implemented the Shopatron system in Canada, a key market for us, after two years of success in the US,” said Fran Richards, Vice President, Marketing Spy Optic. “We are the number one action sports eyewear brand in part because we do not compete directly with our retailers with our own branded company stores. Therefore, it’s critical that we avoid competition with our retailers and remain fully committed to supporting them by sharing online sales. Shopatron makes it easier for retailers to build business within their local communities and provide the best possible service to shoppers.”

“In getting the European business off the ground, we’ve seen a rush of activity and great enthusiasm from our customers who had encouraged us to extend the Coex Freedom solution abroad,” said Sean Collier, COO and CIO for Shopatron, who oversaw the launch of Shopatron’s UK office in mid-2008. “We continue to be approached by new customers who see that eCommerce is vital in today’s retail market as European consumers expect to have all their shopping needs met seamlessly online and in-store.”

Other brands that have recently deployed the Shopatron solution or will be launching the solution in early 2009 include Armada Skis, D'Addario, Douglas Cuddle Toys and Ernie Ball.

About Shopatron

Shopatron, Inc., the leading provider of global eCommerce solutions for consumer goods manufacturers, enables consumer brands to accept and fulfill orders online while avoiding channel conflict. Through Shopatron, orders placed on manufacturer's Web sites are fulfilled by shipment or in-store pickup using the manufacturer's existing network of retailers.

Headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, Shopatron manages a network of more than 500 manufacturers and 10,000 retailers, across 35 consumer products industries. Some of Shopatron's clients include: Berkley Fishing, Brooks Running, Callaway Golf, D'Addario, Johnson Outdoors, Mammut, MK Diamond, Nordica, Panasonic, Philips/Avent, Spy Optic, Stearns and Thule. For more information and a full client list, visit www.shopatron.com.

Media Contact:
Danielle Berg
Shopatron, Inc.
805.547.2144
pr@shopatron.com