News Story From Thursday, October 6, 2005

ShopLocal.com prepares for re-launch with something new: online shopping

ShopLocal.com is preparing for a fall relaunch that will feature something new: shopping online. The destination site, which hosts local promotional content such as store circulars and recently added localized newspaper ads, has focused on web-to-store shopping, directing online visitors to localized in-store opportunities according to the ZIP code they enter at the site. With the relaunch, it will also provide s directly to opportunities to buy online.

The relaunch also will expand content from both national retailers and small local businesses, boost local newspaper ad listings, and provide enhanced search functionality and content presentation, according to ShopLocal.com. The new site will offer "the most complete view of the online shopping landscape - from online offers and in-store specials to great deals from major chains and local small businesses," ShopLocal says.

The relaunched site will initially include e-commerce content from more than 100 retailers alongside the in-store specials featured. Where the option to purchase online is attached to an advertised product appearing in ShopLocal.com, the "Buy Online" button will be featured on the item's product detail page, along with the address for and directions to the local store where the product can be purchased. The goes directly to the item's product on the retailer's web site.

Expanded content will increase the current 30,000 products to be found on the site in an average local market to nearly 3 million. The number of national retailers participating in the site will increase to 400 from the current 50 and the current 1,000 small local businesses currently represented will increase to 20,000 with the relaunch, the company says.

Accompanying the expanded content will be enhanced search capability from Endeca Technologies Inc. The relaunched site will allow visitors to search for products by keyword, category, or retailer, making it easier to find specific items and offers. Visitors will be able to sort results by brand, price range, retailer and other options.

Newspaper and broadcast affiliate partners of ShopLocal include Gannett, Knight Ridder and the Tribune Co. Currently, ShopLocal.com functions as the shopping portal on the web sites of more than 200 newspaper and additional Internet partner web sites, which reach millions of potential shoppers across local markets.