Internet Retailer: New ShopLocal.com Program Connects Local Small, Medium Consumers via Individual Web Presentation

September 11, 2006 -- Small and medium-sized neighborhood retailers who believe a dynamic and sales generating presence on the Web is beyond their Internet expertise or budget now can easily create a virtual store and market to local online shoppers.

ShopLocal.com, one of the largest national Web-to-store comparison shopping sites with millions of visitors each month, has launched MyStore, a quick and easy tool that allows a retailer to build a custom Web presentation, which in turn will reach thousands of local shoppers and expand its business on the Internet.

“By promoting products and services that may not be included in print ads, MyStore helps storeowners capture their share of the ever-growing local online marketplace,” said Marion Black-Ruffin, director of marketing services of ShopLocal.com. “With more searchable information, MyStore retailers can reach a highly targeted audience for a fraction of the cost – an introductory offer of $29.95 per month.”

Merchants can visit ShopLocal.com, click on the MyStore link, submit their store information on the Web and edit their business listing as frequently as needed. Within the store listing, retailers can drop in general store information, a description of products, brands and servicesoffered, business affiliations, detailed directions and parking instructions, a logo or photo of the business, and up to four other images. As business grows, additional locations can be added to reach customers in other markets. Comprehensive reports on consumers that have visited the online Web presentation are provided to the store as well.

MyStore listings are featured prominently on ShopLocal.com, which allows customers to compare online and offline prices to determine the best avenue for purchasing the merchandise. Desired products may be bought online through the selected store’s Web site or saved to the consumer’s personal printable shopping list for purchase at the local store. MyStore subscribers are featured on geo-targeted pages and at the top of directory listings when consumers search by a specific product or category of products within their ZIP code. MyStore listings also appear in the Featured Business section after shoppers search and browse for specific products.

After visiting a store on ShopLocal.com, 78 percent of shoppers said they intended to visit the same store in person within the next two weeks and 56 percent of site visitors bought the items they saw on ShopLocal.com at the store. Furthermore, MyStore drives sales of additional merchandise with 52 percent of shoppers buying more than the item(s) they saw on ShopLocal.com. By providing what consumers need in one convenient place, MyStore retailers build brand loyalty and keep consumers coming back for more, according to Black-Ruffin.

“In minutes, retailers are able to design a uniquely enhanced local business listing that is far more effective than anything the average directory could offer,” said Black-Ruffin.

ShopLocal, LLC, offers the Web’s most comprehensive multi-channel shopping resource for consumers and sales opportunities site for retailers. With ShopLocal.com and The ShopLocal Network – made up of more than 200 affiliate media, search and shopping sites – consumers have access to the only Web site with information on products from local stores side-by-side with e-commerce options. With ShopLocal’s SmartCircular, SmartCatalog and SmartMedia services, retailers can distribute sales and promotional content on the site as well as through their own Web sites, integrating e-commerce and local, in-store promotions.

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB), and The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI), are partners in ShopLocal and other joint ventures to provide consumers online products such as CareerBuilder.com, Cars.com and Apartments.com.