Shopatron Clients in Outdoor Industries Show Strong Sales Growth

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sales for Shopatron brands in two outdoor sports categories grew more than triple the average for the industry in June 2012. The company announced year-over-year, same-store sales growth of 13% for hunting brands and 10% for watersports brands for the month.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101109/SHOPATRONLOGO)

While online sales have consistently outperformed offline sales in the outdoor industry in recent years, Shopatron's client sales figures were particularly impressive compared to the modest 3.2% average sales growth reported by the Outdoor Industry Association for the period. According to the same OIA report, online sales were noted as the biggest driver for industry-wide growth, despite a challenging economy.

"As an eCommerce solution for well over 300 sporting goods brands, we get a good feel for retail strength in the industry," said Mark Grondin, Shopatron's SVP of Marketing. "This year we have seen sales drooping in many categories, but were happy to see hunting and watersports doing so well online. In this challenging economy, online sales growth has been a savior for some of our clients."

Key to this sales growth is Shopatron's innovative eCommerce order exchange, which promotes product sales online as well as in retail stores. The order exchange enables branded manufacturers to sell online and distribute the resulting orders to their retailers for delivery to the customer. This gives brands access to online sales, while, at the same time, strengthening traditional retailer relationships by moving product through retail outlets. Built in ship-to-store functionality also allows brands to use retail shops as order pickup locations immediately upon launch of their eCommerce program, a huge bonus for the brands, retail shops and the customer.

"With some well-known outdoor brands selling online direct to consumers, channel conflict is a hot-button issue in the industry," continued Grondin. "We give brands an option to grow sales without this channel conflict. It's a win-win, as the numbers illustrate."

And brands are taking heed. So far in 2012, Shopatron has launched online stores for 63 sporting goods brands in the USA and Europe, including great brands such as Pearl Izumi, GoPro, Industrial Revolution, Advanced Elements and Spartan Wetsuits. These brands join the more than 270 sporting goods brands and 4,900 retailers already partnered with Shopatron.

For more information about Shopatron or its participation in the upcoming Outdoor Retailer (OR) tradeshow, visit ecommerce.shopatron.com or call 866-625-5050.

About Shopatron

Shopatron is the world's only eCommerce solution that increases sales online, while also increasing sales through retail stores. Shopatron's eCommerce and order management solution provides an innovative and flexible approach to online sales that matches the unique needs of branded manufacturers, multi-channel retailers, and online marketplaces. Founded in 2001, Shopatron works with over 1,000 branded manufacturers and 20,000 retail partners across more than 40 industries. Clients include top brands such as Bosch, Suzuki, Polaroid, Mizuno, Ducati, JL Audio, K2, Intermix and Sport Chalet. The company has offices in San Luis Obispo, California and Swindon, United Kingdom.

SOURCE Shopatron