Shopster.com Unveils Free Merchant Network

Social networking brought to online retail

CALGARY, June 30 /PRNewswire/ - Shopster.com announced today the launch of the world's largest online Merchant Network. The Shopster Merchant Network is a one-stop shop for online sellers and suppliers to manage all aspects of their business. Users of the network are empowered with tools to manage their buying and selling relationships. In an industry first, it is free to join.

"Shopster.com is introducing social networking for your products," says Sarath Samarasekera, CEO and co-founder of Shopster.com. "Sites like Facebook and LinkedIn struggle to monetize, but the Shopster network is about making money for our users which aligns our interests. Your success is our success, and it's free to join, so there really is no risk."

According to Paul McCluskey, Shopster's EVP Research and Development, the Network is the product of five years of e-commerce development and extensive research with Shopster's large existing user base.

"We wanted to release something that not only met, but exceeded the expectations of the market," says McCluskey. "The Merchant Network takes traditional software as a service (SaaS) and pushes it farther than ever before, growing more powerful and more useful with each new user. You don't use Shopster to run your business, Shopster is your business. Cheaper, faster, more powerful. What every network and every platform has been striving for."

In addition to providing a proven, stable platform for building online stores, the new Shopster Merchant Network will allow you to:

- Dramatically reduce inventory costs - Connect with suppliers and sellers immediately and manage those relationships - Integrate online commerce activities under one portal - Enhance search engine discoverability ("search engine optimization" or SEO) Merchants and suppliers are encouraged to sign up at http://www.shopster.com at no charge. About Shopster.com:

Founded in 2004, Shopster.com is an official eBay Solutions Partner that offers a suite of eCommerce solutions for small to medium sized business. Thousands of online merchants rely on Shopster from around the world. Shopster simplifies the complexities of online retail, allowing merchants to manage their store, transactions, and supply chain relationships in one easy to use place. Joining the Network is free, so merchants can focus on growth and relationships, not on costs.

SOURCE Shopster.com