Swirl Launches Next Generation Mobile Shopping Platform to Reinvent In-Store Fashion Shopping Experience

BOSTON, Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Swirl announced the launch of a consumer shopping platform that leverages mobile, social and web technologies to enhance the offline shopping experience, which accounts for more than 90 percent of all retail sales.  The Swirl platform brings fashion brands, styles, offers and influencers together in one place to give consumers a more efficient and engaging experience when shopping at their favorite retail stores.

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"In the past 15 years, e-commerce and mobile commerce have dramatically advanced, yet they account for less than 10 percent of all retail sales," said Swirl founder and CEO Hilmi Ozguc.  "Our goal is to reinvent the consumer shopping experience where the vast majority of transactions still take place - in the physical retail store."

Developed by a team of mobile, digital media, social marketing and e-commerce veterans, Swirl debuts with information on 100,000 fashion items and brand promotions from more than 200 of the top retailers at 30,000 store locations across the US.  Swirl offers the inspirational qualities of a fashion magazine, the connectedness of a social network, the organizational capabilities of a personal assistant, and the relevance of a custom news and offer feed – all within a location-based services format.

The platform targets fashion-savvy Millennials who love shopping but are being inundated with daily email promotions and online offers that require them to buy products without trying them on.  At the same time, Swirl appeals to time-starved working women and moms who want to find a particular style and buy it "now" without waiting for it to be shipped. 

As consumers increasingly rely on their mobile devices for information and social connectivity, Swirl is targeting the retail shopping experience for the next wave of mobile innovation, aiming to turn consumers' smartphones into personal shopping assistants.

"Over 50% of US adults now own a smartphone, which means that shoppers already have immediate access to an incredibly powerful device, no matter where they are.  We are leveraging that capability to make the entire shopping experience, from discovery and planning to in-store purchase, even more rewarding," said Ozguc.

Learn more at swirl.com or download the Swirl iPhone app.

ABOUT SWIRL

Swirl is a fast-growing technology start-up that is harnessing the power of mobile, social and web technologies to reignite consumer's love of in-store shopping.  Based in Boston and founded in 2011, the company is led by an accomplished entrepreneurial team with deep consumer mobile, digital media, social marketing and e-commerce experience.  Swirl is backed by top-tier investors including SoftBank Capital, General Catalyst Partners and Longworth Venture Partners.

SOURCE Swirl