Canada's Future Shop Teams With Esd Specialist Release To Launch Online Software Store

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Sept 14, 1998

Big Canada-based computer and electronics retailer Future Shop Ltd. and Release Software, a distributor and marketing company for software sold on the Internet, have announced a partnership to sell software through Future Shop's WebStore located at www.futureshop.com. Hundreds of software titles ranging from games to personal finance and productivity are being made available for Future Shop customers in both the US and Canada to download and purchase using Release Software's electronic software distribution (ESD) technology.

Francois Chevallier, Future Shop Ltd.'s Internet business manager, says the initiative marks "the first stage in the development of our online WebStore, and reflects Future Shop's ongoing commitment to innovation in retailing to meet the needs of our sophisticated customers."

Future Shop online customers can purchase and download the electronic version of a software title immediately from the web store or have a boxed product shipped directly to them. Release Software's ESD solution handles management of merchandise and processing of all transactions. Future Shop's WebStore will accept payment in both US and Canadian currencies.

Founded in 1982, Canada's Future Shop Ltd. operates 110 stores including 104 superstore locations.