Astound Commerce Acquires eCommerce Consultancy the e-tailing group

Acquisition Strengthens Company's Omni-channel Commerce Consulting Practice

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Apr 06, 2016, 06:37 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Astound Commerce, one of the world's largest cross-platform eCommerce providers, with more than 600 professionals globally, today announced it has completed its acquisition of the e-tailing group, an eCommerce consultancy based in Chicago.

Founded in 1993, the e-tailing group specializes in a range of eCommerce and retail consulting services, including digital strategy, customer experience consulting, online conversion audits, competitive e-commerce benchmarking, consumer research, and custom projects. Their clients have included Fortune 500, mid-market retailers as well as global brands such as Staples, Crate and Barrel, Toys"R"Us, MoMA, Under Armour, and Lenovo.

The e-tailing group is widely recognized for its 20-year annual mystery shopping program that analyzes and reports on 100 e-commerce sites. Their thought leadership and go-to-market initiatives have been delivered for logistics companies, such as UPS, to technology platforms including Demandware and Kibo, as well as point solutions like PowerReviews and Invodo.

"Digital commerce is transforming retail at an unprecedented pace," said Igor Gorin, Founder and CEO of Astound Commerce. "Digital, mobile and retail channels, which typically operated in silos, have converged – the boundaries have been completely erased. Retailers' traditional competitive advantages, such as price or brand, are now being challenged by consumers who value consistent, compelling experiences across all channels. Consequently, retailers are looking for a partner to help them navigate through these dynamics. This acquisition positions us well to be that partner."

Appoints Retail Industry Veteran to Executive Position

The e-tailing group was founded by retail industry veteran, Lauren Freedman, who will join Astound Commerce as SVP Digital Strategy & Chief Merchant. Freedman is a 20-year eCommerce veteran, a recognized and respected figure in omnichannel retail, and author of It's Just Shopping.

What makes us especially excited about this acquisition is the team and the hands-on expertise we are gaining – especially Lauren Freedman. We have worked with Lauren in the past and already have a close relationship. We know our clients can benefit from their practical insights, digital know-how and passion for retail.

In our new omnichannel world, retailers need to excel in both the front-end and back-end of the business, where a holistic view of the customer experience is paramount. The e-tailing group is well known for the front-end strategy to help retailers deliver the right brand experience for their business across all channels. By combining their expertise with Astound Commerce's e-commerce and technology capabilities, retailers now can get one-stop shopping for sophisticated solutions that move their business forward.

About Astound Commerce

Astound Commerce is an award-winning global digital commerce provider. We combine strategy, technology and interactive marketing services for many of the world's favorite brands and retailers. With a broad set of technology, digital and e-business solutions, we can power every aspect of your online business, and integrate across all marketing channels.

We work with the world's leading technology providers to make sure your brand reaches its full potential in the digital space. We deliver enterprise-class digital commerce solutions on the industry leading platforms: Demandware, IBM WebSphere Commerce, SAP Hybris, Magento®, MarketLive Kibo® and NetSuite. We use these cutting-edge platforms to create flexible, customized solutions that are robust, capable, and ready to handle even the highest traffic volumes.

Learn more at www.astoundcommerce.com.

SOURCE Astound Commerce