Shopatron
Encyclopedia
Shopatron is an American eCommerce technology company based in California that provides eCommerce solutions to branded manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods products. Company founder and CEO Ed Stevens developed the core idea for Shopatron while working for a Russian military factory and observing the competition between manufacturers and retailers for business.
Shopatron was originally the name of a product made by FirePoppy Inc., officially launched in 2001. In 2006 FirePoppy changed its name to Shopatron, partially because most people already called it Shopatron.
Shopatron’s corporate headquarters is in San Luis Obispo, California
, situated on the Pacific Coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles
. In 2008, Shopatron expanded its operations to Europe with an office in Swindon
, United Kingdom, about 80 miles west of London.
.
Shopatron’s retailer integration product is the basis of the system. Orders placed on a manufacturer’s Web site are placed in a pool, which retailers view through a Web portal. Each day orders are assigned to the retailer closest to the consumer who has indicated it has the product in stock.
, Circuit City, and REI
are examples of large retailers that have been offering this option to shoppers for several years and have led the way in terms of consumer demand for in-store pickup. Smaller manufacturers and retailers can offer shoppers the same service. When they accept orders from the pool made available by the manufacturers, they fulfill the order through shipment or by alerting shoppers that items are available to be picked up at a nearby location.
, Diadora
, Ducati, Evinrude
/BRP, Gund
, JL Audio
, Johnson Outdoors
, K2, Mizuno Corporation, Rossignol, Spy Optic, Sugoi, Suzuki
, Thule, Uglydolls
,Gemini Jets
Shopatron was originally the name of a product made by FirePoppy Inc., officially launched in 2001. In 2006 FirePoppy changed its name to Shopatron, partially because most people already called it Shopatron.
Shopatron’s corporate headquarters is in San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is a city in California, located roughly midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast. Founded in 1772 by Spanish Fr. Junipero Serra, San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities...
, situated on the Pacific Coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. In 2008, Shopatron expanded its operations to Europe with an office in Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
, United Kingdom, about 80 miles west of London.
How it works
Manufacturers accept orders online and fulfill them through retailers or dealer channels to avoid the marketing problem known as channel conflictChannel conflict
Channel conflict occurs when manufacturers disintermediate their channel partners, such as distributors, retailers, dealers, and sales representatives, by selling their products direct to consumers through general marketing methods and/or over the internet through eCommerce.Some manufacturers want...
.
Shopatron’s retailer integration product is the basis of the system. Orders placed on a manufacturer’s Web site are placed in a pool, which retailers view through a Web portal. Each day orders are assigned to the retailer closest to the consumer who has indicated it has the product in stock.
In-Store Pickup
Retailers on the Shopatron system make products ordered online available for pickup in-store. Wal-MartWal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, Circuit City, and REI
Rei
-People:*Rei, the Biblical term for those who retained their allegiance to King David when Adonijah rebelled, as mentioned in 1 Kings 1:8*Rei Hiroe*Rei Igarashi*Rei Kawakubo*Rei Kikukawa*Rei Mikamoto*Rei Munakata*Rei Okamoto*Rei Omishi...
are examples of large retailers that have been offering this option to shoppers for several years and have led the way in terms of consumer demand for in-store pickup. Smaller manufacturers and retailers can offer shoppers the same service. When they accept orders from the pool made available by the manufacturers, they fulfill the order through shipment or by alerting shoppers that items are available to be picked up at a nearby location.
Funding
Shopatron received its Series A financing from Rivenrock Capital, a Los Angeles-based venture firm for an undisclosed sum. On October 1, 2007, Shopatron announced a $6 million Series B financing led by Kern Whelan Capital with participation from Rivenrock Capital.Customers
Shopatron customers include Breyer horses, BrineBrine
Brine is water, saturated or nearly saturated with salt .Brine is used to preserve vegetables, fruit, fish, and meat, in a process known as brining . Brine is also commonly used to age Halloumi and Feta cheeses, or for pickling foodstuffs, as a means of preserving them...
, Diadora
Diadora
Diadora is an Italian football, tennis, running, cycling, rugby, athletic shoe, clothing, and fashion accessory manufacturer with locations in Italy, the United States, and Hong Kong.-History:...
, Ducati, Evinrude
Evinrude
Evinrude can mean:-*Evinrude Outboard Motors**the company founder Ole Evinrude*The dragonfly in the 1977 Disney animated film, The Rescuers....
/BRP, Gund
Gund
Gund is a manufacturer of plush stuffed animals. It was founded by Adolph Gund in 1898 and is the oldest manufacturer of plush toys in the U.S. On July 1, 2008 Gund was sold to Enesco, a gift company known for among other things the Cherished Teddies line....
, JL Audio
JL Audio
JL Audio is an American manufacturer of consumer audio products. They produce marine, home, and mobile audio products, but are best known for their subwoofers. JL Audio is known as one of the pioneers of the car audio industry.-Formation:...
, Johnson Outdoors
Johnson Outdoors
Johnson Outdoors Inc. produces outdoor recreational products such as watercraft, diving equipment, compasses and navigational products, and outdoor clothing.-Company history:...
, K2, Mizuno Corporation, Rossignol, Spy Optic, Sugoi, Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, Thule, Uglydolls
Uglydolls
Uglydoll is a brand which began as a collection of best selling toys created by creators David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim. The Uglydoll line was first launched in January 2001, and are distinguished by an aesthetic that balances traditional cuteness with perceived ugliness...
,Gemini Jets