19th Century Industry "Goes Green" on the iPad: Catalog Spree Delivers 10 Million Digital Catalog Page Views in Under Six Weeks

SAN FRANCISCO, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalog Spree, the number one catalog shopping app, today announced it has amassed nearly 100,000 users and delivered more than 10 million pages of catalogs in less than two months. The app, launched on April 19, is consistently among the top 5 retail apps in the iPad App Store alongside eBay, Amazon, Groupon and Gilt.  Out of 90,000 iPad apps available, Catalog Spree is among the 100 most downloaded and boasts an average engagement time of nearly 20 minutes per user.

Reading this on the iPad? Click here to download the app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/catalog-spree/id428274984?mt=8&ls=1.

Catalog Spree is committed to providing consumers with the power of discovery when it comes to new brands and is excited to offer it in a more environmentally friendly way. In 2010, we estimate that more than 22.5 million trees were consumed to print the 20 billion catalogs mailed in the U.S. alone, enough to circle the Earth 133 times if they were stacked end-to-end. Catalog Spree now offers shoppers a digital enhancement of the classic catalog browsing experience that has been enjoyed since the 19th century (Montgomery Ward sent out the first catalog in 1872) while protecting the planet and its natural resources well beyond the 21st century.

Is your favorite retailer still not part of the Catalog Spree family? Click here to tell us which catalog we should add next!

"It's springtime and Hamilton Jewelers is going green," says Donna Bouchard, vice president with Hamilton Jewelers. "At Hamilton, we take great pride in evolving our business in step with innovation. We also take great care in creating our catalogs, recognizing them as true-to-life art that showcases our products as our customers will enjoy them. Digitizing it for the consumer that prefers to cut back on paper versions is a top priority. Catalog Spree gave us the opportunity to fulfill this request while keeping the integrity of our photo layouts completely intact, uncluttering our customers' inboxes, all while saving on unnecessary paper and postage costs.  In our first month on the app, we have seen an increase in site traffic of over 28 percent.  We are very optimistic about the vehicle and are planning our next catalog for a summer introduction of hot new items. As more and more consumers incorporate the iPad into their daily lives, we want them to take Hamilton Jewelers with them."

Adoption of iPads is quickly surpassing other popular consumer electronics, including game consoles and cell phones, with a story in CNN reporting that at this rate it will be a $9 billion/year business. Also, according to a recent article from emarketer, 41 percent of consumers surveyed cited shopping as a primary use of their iPad, with 54 percent saying apps were driving their use.  

"Catalogs are the number one revenue driver for retailers who mail catalogs, but also the largest marketing cost.  So while catalogers are sensitive to environmental concerns, it's easy to understand their hesitation to stop printing these valuable sales drivers," said Rick Binger, Chief Content Officer and co-founder of Padopolis, the creators of Catalog Spree. "At the same time, the catalog industry is the third largest consumer of paper, and the cost of paper and postage continue to rise every year. Retailers we've spoken to recognize Catalog Spree on the iPad as an alternative yet effective way to reach consumers while representing their product well, helping their bottom line and benefitting Mother Nature."

Catalog Spree's virtual shopping mall delivers a beautiful, fast and engaging place for consumers to quickly shop, share and browse through a variety of catalogs. Catalog Spree goes far beyond any app from a singular retailer or other catalog shopping application. Catalog Spree for iPad is the only app to preserve the same look and feel of the traditional catalogs delivered to homes. With a fast and straightforward user experience, including an easy to navigate "catalog library," Catalog Spree sets itself apart by loading instantly. The app allows people to make purchases from multiple retailers, while also saving and socializing favorites on Facebook and via email. Visit our website to see a video demonstration of Catalog Spree.

"Being a consistent presence in the top 10 free lifestyle apps in the iPad store is a tribute to the quality of the application for both retailers and consumers," said Joaquin Ruiz, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Padopolis, the creators of Catalog Spree. "We look forward to further evolving the user experience and to adding more dynamic content in order to give consumers and retailers a friendly and exciting shopping environment that will truly redefine catalog shopping."  

The application is now available for download from the U.S. iTunes App Store. For more information on Catalog Spree, please visit www.CatalogSpree.com. Please like us on Facebook and take advantage of Father's Day deals with retailers including Filson, NapaStyle, Celebrate Express and SeaBear.  

About Catalog Spree & Padopolis

Catalog Spree by Padopolis introduces a brand new catalog shopping experience on the iPad. People can browse and shop in catalogs they love, and discover new brands, all from one app. Catalog Spree is a fast and magical way to enjoy, share, shop and subscribe to promotions on the iPad. Going far beyond any shopping app from a singular retailer, Catalog Spree for iPad loads instantly and allows people to make purchases from multiple retailers, while saving and socializing favorites. Catalog Spree is dedicated to creating a beautiful and rich shopping experience, as the only catalog app offering an entire marketplace of retail stores and the option to subscribe to new catalog releases. Catalog Spree changes the way people shop. Combining the best of mobile, beautiful catalog layouts and online shopping, Catalog Spree provides consumers who love catalogs the exciting opportunity to have an eco-friendly and spam free experience while flipping through beautiful catalog layouts from home, the road or anywhere. Without requiring the download of hundreds of separate apps, shoppers enjoy all the benefits of online shopping in a much more interactive, personal and paperless way. For more information visit CatalogSpree.com

SOURCE Catalog Spree