Shopatron Becomes the eCommerce Platform of Choice for Global Cycling Brands

SAN LUIS OBISPO, California, September 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Cycling brands selling online using Shopatron's eCommerce order exchange have enjoyed huge revenue gains for the third straight year. Second quarter same store sales for Shopatron-enabled cycling brands grew 60% in 2011 over Q2 of 2010, which saw a 56% increase over 2009.  And Q2 2009 saw an increase in same-store sales of just over 40% over 2008. And all this growth occurred in an industry that is inherently averse to selling online.

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Purchasing a bicycle has been a hands-on venture for over a century. Bicycles need to be built by experts, then test-ridden by most buyers, not to mention the follow-up fitting and tuning required. This high-contact approach coupled with potential liability issues around consumer-assembled bikes has kept conventional eCommerce at bay in the industry for years.

But Shopatron's unique approach to eCommerce has changed that. Their global eCommerce platform transfers sales completed on the brand's website to a local retailer for delivery to the customer. This retail-integrated eCommerce model has made it possible for international cycling brands like FLi Distribution and Schwalbe to have an eCommerce presence and still provide customers the necessary service, support and expertise they need from their local bike dealer.

"Thanks to Shopatron, customers can go online to research and now purchase the bike, part or accessory they want, and then go into their local bike shop to have it installed, fitted, customized or serviced when they pick it up," says Shopatron Senior VP of Marketing, Mark Grondin. "Or sometimes customers like me just want to show their support for their local bike shop, rather than give more business to a big out-of-state online retailer."

Cycling brands worldwide have been quick to jump on board with Shopatron. There are currently about 50 cycling brands with Shopatron-enabled eCommerce stores, and those shops work with over 1,000 local bike dealers. The brands range from industry stalwarts like Specialized and Giant to specialty brands like Velocity or Handspun.

Shopatron will be at Cycle Show UK  September 29-October 2 in NEC, Birmingham, to support its clients and introduce its eCommerce solution to other cycling brands. For more information about Shopatron or to set up a meeting at the event, visit ecommerce.shopatron.com or call +1-866-625-5050.

About Shopatron

Founded in 2001, Shopatron is the only eCommerce solution in the world that can drive more online sales while, at the same time, increasing a company's sales through the retail channel. Working with over 1,000 brands and 18,000 retail partners across more than 35 industries, Shopatron offers an innovative and flexible approach to eCommerce that matches the unique needs of branded manufacturers and multi-channel retailers.

With Shopatron's eCommerce solution for brands, Coex Freedom, manufacturers sell on their website and send orders to their retail partners for fulfillment. This solution eliminates channel conflict, builds retailer relationships, grows distribution and increases overall sales for the brand. Shopatron's solution for multi-channel retailers, Coex Private, allows retailers to fulfill orders from all inventory centers, including both retail stores and distribution centers. Shopatron's distributed order management model also enables in-store pickup to drive foot traffic into brick-and-mortar locations for additional services and add-on sales.

Shopatron clients include top brands such as Louisville Slugger, Suzuki, Polaroid, Mizuno, Ducati, JL Audio, American Tire Distributors and Sport Chalet. The company is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, Calif.