Sortprice.com and PETCO Setting Standard for New Era of Social Shopping with Merchant Store Application for Facebook® Platform

September 9, 2009; 01:27 PM

NEW YORK, NY - A new era in e-commerce is underway with Sortprice.com's Merchant Store application for Facebook Platform, which is increasingly being used by retailers such as PETCO, a nationwide leader in pet specialty, to expand their online presence and create an interactive social shopping environment.

"In less than a year, we've seen this application not only grow in popularity but transform the way in which merchants do business online," said Asaf Klibansky, Sortprice.com co-founder and CTO. "Retailers of every size and background are able to quickly and easily connect with new customers and build an audience for their products unlike ever before."

Sortprice was one of the first to offer a virtual storefront for retailers on Facebook Platform when it introduced the Merchant Store application almost a year ago. Now, more than 700 merchants are using the application, where they can add select product listings to their Facebook Pages or their entire registry of items for shoppers to peruse and share, complete with photos and direct links to their own web sites.

Retailers are able to control the look and feel of their stores, and visitors can comment on other users' wish lists, indicate particular items that they "like" and invite friends and family to view their wish lists or favorite products.

PETCO is one retailer in particular that has had early success with the application and is seeing growing interaction from fans. The San Diego-based pet specialty leader has a full array of pet care supplies and products posted on its store, all of which are accessible to the more than 5,000 Facebook fans and friends the company has attracted. The PETCO Facebook store can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/PETCO?v=app_88547656995&viewas=678987160&ref=search

"It's a great way to learn what our fans think about our products by seeing what they're adding to their wish lists, sharing with their friends and what products they're giving us a virtual 'thumbs up' on. We've seen a positive response so far and we're looking forward to watching it grow," said Natalie Malaszenko, director of e-commerce for PETCO. "It's more than just a new sales tool, it's also an opportunity for us to listen to and learn from our customers, and a nice reminder of the value we provide by helping them be great pet parents."

To learn more about the Facebook Merchant Store application click here: http://www.sortprice.com/facebook_store

SortPrice.com, founded in 2004, has grown into one of the internet's most popular shopping search engines. With advanced search technology and a simple interface, the site features millions of products from thousands of merchants nationwide. Learn more at: http://www.sortprice.com

With more than 250 million active users, Facebook is the fourth most-trafficked website in the United States. In 2007, Facebook launched Facebook Platform to enable companies and engineers to integrate with Facebook and gain access to millions of users. Using a rich set of tools and online services, developers can now build an application that is deeply integrated into Facebook.

About PETCO
PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 950 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at PETCO.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $50 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the foundation, we work with and support more than 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.