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Press Releases
October 27, 2008
Start Up Company Sees Growth Despite Economy
Company Credits Focus on Charity, Safe Products and Compassionate Shopping
Germantown, NY - Pet Commerce Direct a New York LLC launches the Animal Shelter Store. The pilot ecommerce website is located
at AnimalShelterStore.com and focuses on fundraising for animal charities and safe pet product shopping.
The woman owned, home based business is seeing increasing sales despite nationwide economic uncertainty. The reason for
growth seems to be directly related to the store's charitable associations and selection of safe, recall free pet foods,
treats and other supplies. The Animal Shelter Store encourages shopping for those who want to buy the safest pet foods
while supporting their favorite animal welfare organizations.
Store sales are consistently divided by approximately 40% pet food and natural treat sales, 40% pet lover gift sales
including Cesar Millan merchandise, and 20% generic pet supply sales. The average order is approximately $46, double
what was anticipated in early projections. October sales were up 400% in comparison to the June.
As of October 15th the site featured more than 1600 pet products, 150 animal shelters and rescues and had more than
2,000 customers. The store's owner believes several key factors have contributed to the store's acceptance by animal
shelters and rescues and concerned pet lovers.
Visible Donation Amounts- When customers go shopping and place products in their shopping cart, the shopping cart
software automatically shows how much money is being donated from that item to their favorite animal shelter or rescue.
Highest Payouts- Pet Commerce Direct consistently pays no less than 15-25% of product profits [difference between the
sale price and wholesale] for each item in the store. On a per sale basis, this is the highest payout for any online
animal welfare fundraising program. "Our priorities are in line and t the shelters get paid first because they deserve
every penny of it" says owner and co founder Bobbi Jo Forte.
Monthly Checks- Shelters and rescues don't wait until they earn a specific amount to receive payment. Between the 15th
and 20th of each month checks are mailed for the previous month's donations whether the amount is for $50.00 or $.50.
Forte believes "paying each month encourages shelters to more actively participate and promote the program by rewarding
them for even the smallest of donations".
Multiple Ways to Give- Loyal supporters can either come to the store via a banner on their favorite shelter website,
or they can select their favorite shelter from a drop down menu at checkout, doubling the chances that they will give
credit to a participating organization.
A Focus on Product Safety- Product selection at the Animal Shelter Store is strict. Every food brand has been
carefully selected because of their manufacturing safety record and lack of involvement in nationwide food recalls.
Other manufacturers are chosen because of their commitment to the environment such as West Paw's completely eco friendly
pet product line. The store also sells Cesar Millan products, Holiday gift items, natural pet treats, condition specific
remedies and pet apparel. More than 1600 pet products are now available in the store.
The parent company Pet Commerce Direct is currently in the contractual stages of building a custom store for Pets911.com
and is hoping to provide services to other qualified pet portals. "The business model will remain the same" says
Mrs. Forte, referring to the focus on donations and quality products. However new stores will be branded with the other
company's logo and color scheme. The company is offering store management services as well for high traffic pet websites
who have interest in e-commerce and supporting the animal welfare industry but who don't have the resources or staffing
to run a store.
For more information about the program or about the future business endeavors of the company, please contact Bobbi Jo Forte.
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Press Inquiries:
Contact: Bobbi Jo Forte
E-mail: bobbijo@petcommercedirect.com
Phone: 1-888-723-8777
