If there was one bright spot in 2009, it was the growth of e-commerce.

Even as customers everywhere cut back spending, online sales posted steady gains. A report by the Department of Commerce for the 3rd quarter 2009 showed an increase in total adjusted U.S. online retail sales of $1.6 billion from the second quarter, to $34.0 billion.

Retailers, too, fared better than originally expected this past holiday season, fueled in part by a 15.5 percent surge in online purchases.

Now, the uniform industry is poised to capitalize on that growth with the arrival of UniformMarket's Vendor Alliance Program (VAP). Launched last December, VAP is the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to drive traffic – and increase sales to online stores.

That's great news for manufacturers and retailers, given that double-digit e-commerce growth is expected to continue, experts say. Online sales are forecasted to grow approximately 14% annually through 2012, according to a recent report by Forrester Research, an independent technology and market research company. If accurate, online sales are expected to grow about $20 billion to $30 billion each year, reaching $335 billion annually in just two years.  

What's driving the growth? Changing shopping preferences and time constraints, say the experts. The vast majority of consumers – 88% -- say they have bought something online in the past and plan to do so in the future. From the customer's perspective e-commerce offers convenience, variety, cost savings, and anonymity – you can shop in your pajamas and no one would notice.

From the store owner or manufacturer's perspective, e-commerce provides a way to instantly satisfy demand for products, services, and information of each customer individually. The ultimate customer-centric tool, e-commerce shifts the power from the seller to the consumer, building relationships – and sales – along the way.

VAP – A Win for Manufacturers…

The Vendor Alliance Program gives dealers all the information they need to better sell a manufacturer's products over the web. Authorized dealers with online stores and POS systems gain access to complete libraries of products, all with a few clicks of the mouse, without the hassles often associated with online selling. Depending on the package, manufacturers will even be able to update inventory on each product page in "near-time" on a dealer's e-commerce site and extend drop-ship capability with authorized web stores. Keeping everyone updated on inventory means the end user can be assured their orders will ship quickly. And the drop-ship feature allows for reduced paper work and improved customer satisfaction. "There's no better way to help customers build on-line sales of our products," says Gary Schultz, CEO, Edwards Garment Company and a Vendor Alliance Partner. "It gives them a great selling tool as well."

Click here to find out how you can get started in the Vendor Alliance Program. Authorized dealers do not have to be UMSS users to participate in VAP. VAP doesn't require any special technical skills either -- simply supply UniformMarket with product catalogs, PDFs, images and spreadsheets, and we'll take it from there. By shifting to UniformMarket the often arduous and time-consuming technical requirements of doing business over the web, the dealer is free to do what he or she does best – sell. It's a sure-fire win for the vendor, adding value to the manufacturer/dealer relationship, certain to be seen as a compelling customer service feature. Of course, it also moves the product, which is why dealers – and manufacturers -- are in business in the first place.

….and for Retailers

For dealers, VAP continues what UniformMarket started five years ago, when it introduced the UniformMarket Store System (UMSS). Since then, hundreds of businesses have seen their profits soar using UniformMarket's powerful mix of public and private web stores.

With its ability to offer the complete product lines of any supplier, VAP takes online shopping to the next level, heightening the experience for the customer, giving them a reason to shop with you rather than a competitor. You may not always be able to compete on price, but with VAP, you're certain to stand out, and that could make the difference.

These days, customer decisions are increasingly influenced by what they see online, even if they shop at a physical store. And as the above cited research suggests, they're also time-starved and appreciate the ability to buy what they want with a few clicks of the mouse at any time of day. The Vendor Alliance program was designed with this new shopping pattern in mind. Now, your customers and prospects can have access to the most comprehensive catalogues of information ever assembled for the uniform industry, all in one place, when they choose to view it.  

They'll also be able to find – and buy – any item from their favorite brands at the online store they've come to trust. Brands create customers, and through the Vendor Alliance program you'll be able to offer the complete product lines of any supplier, heightening the shopping experience for the customer while creating new revenue streams for you. With VAP, everybody wins – the manufacturer, dealer and end user.

You do not need to be a user of the UniformMarket Store System to take advantage of VAP's benefits, but you do need to order the catalogs of your favorite manufacturers. To learn more about what the Vendor Alliance Program can do for you, click here.

There's no better time to extend your online presence, or to start one, if you're not currently selling over the web. VAP makes it easy – whether you're a UMSS user or not.

Join the others who have already signed on to VAP, and take the first steps toward a more profitable 2010. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on board today.