The Australian arm of ShopStyle has confirmed plans to ramp up operations, backed by strong customer traffic and strategic partnerships.
Ragtrader can reveal that ShopStyle will welcome six new stores to its stable before the end of the year, including UK department store giant John Lewis.
Headquartered in San Francisco with divisions across the globe, the fashion search engine launched an Australian arm on May 15 this year.
According to ShopStyle Australia country manager Laura Yeomans, traffic for the site has more than tripled since its launch.
“The addition of John Lewis will mean we have over 10 of the world’s biggest department stores listing their products on the site,” Yeomans said.
“Resources are the only thing holding us back from bringing on more stores, and I predict from now until the end of the year we will bring on a further 10 stores, including one very large Australian store due to come on.”
Other stores already confirmed to sign on to the Australian ShopStyle site include Alannah Hill and Parlour X by November 14, and local labels Gorman and Life With Bird by December 1. Fashion and accessory site Ausmode will also join before the end of the year.
Yeomans added that the benefits for retailers joining an aggregator such as ShopStyle are varied.
“ShopStyle’s main benefit for retailers is that we’re a cost effective way to draw in new customers. Plus, our excellent SEO means we appear at the top of Google rankings for searches,” she said.
“Online can be a competitive environment where people are vying to be seen, and by joining our platform retailers are effectively leveraging their brand and products in front of their target market – a large captive online audience with the intent to purchase.”
Yeomans said the local market had been "crying out" for a quality fashion website that acted as a marketplace.
“ShopStyle.com.au is quickly becoming the favoured shopping destination for Australia’s fashion community, and we’re on track to be drawing in one million shoppers every month as we approach Christmas.”