Web-to-Store Survey Reveals Number of Web-to-Store Shoppers Increases By 20 Percent

Local Shoppers Rely On Online Shopping Search Twice As Often As Nearest Media Influences

Chicago, May 1, 2006 - ShopLocal, LLC, the leading provider of Web-to-store (W2S) and e-commerce marketing solutions for retailers announced the results of the third installment of the Web-to-Store Benchmark Survey conducted by The Dieringer Group (The DRG) revealed that the number of W2S shoppers has grown by 20%; from 83MM to 100MM. Shoppers also continue to use the Internet, at increasing rates, to research shopping before local shopping trips; relying upon online information nearly twice as often as other media.

Top Media for Product Information Used by Shoppers

" Web-to-store internet research

" Newspaper ads/inserts

" Local TV ads

" Local radio Ads

"Consumers depend upon online research to help them decide how, when, and where to shop," said ShopLocal CEO, Brian Hand. "The research shows that most shoppers do both Web-to-store shopping and direct online shopping based on what's most convenient for them. They're smart shoppers looking for readily accessible, trusted and relevant information."

An estimated 100.4 million shoppers utilize the to research products prior to shopping locally. The W2S survey indicates that many of those shoppers purchased locally as opposed to online, for the following reasons:

" Prefer to avoid shipping costs

" Did not want to wait for shipping

" Concerns over product returns

" Prefer to support local retailers and economy

" More fun to shop in person at local stores

Products from the following categories are much more likely to be purchased locally after online research includes:

" Major Appliances

" Home Improvement

" Vehicle Parts & Services

" Cameras

" Electronics

" Small Appliances

" Tools

" Baby Products

Additionally, 85% of shoppers indicated that they purchase products instore beyond those they researched online. Typical spending is one hundred to two hundred dollars above the products researched online prior to their local shopping trip.

Contact ShopLocal for more information on the 2006 U.S. Web-to-Store Benchmark.

About ShopLocal

ShopLocal, LLC (www.shoplocalllc.com) is the leading Web shopping company for consumers and 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 place on the Web with information on products from local stores side-by-side with e-commerce options. With ShopLocal’s SmartCircular and Smart Catalog services, retailers can distribute sales and promotional content through The ShopLocal Network as well as their own Web sites.