Ghirardelli Launches iPhone App And Mobile Web Storefronts On Digby Mobile Commerce Platform
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company recently announced that it has partnered with Digby to launch their new mobile channel initiative with a new iPhone application and mobile web storefront built on the Digby Mobile Commerce Suite platform.
Research firm Gartner recently reported that, in Q2 2009, smartphone sales overall surpassed 40 million units worldwide, for a 27 percent increase over Q2 2008, making smartphones the fastest growing segment in the mobile device market. With Apple continuing to dominate the smartphone market in the US , Ghirardelli's iPhone app will give this growing market easy access to its products anytime, anywhere.
"The way our customers shop with us is changing, and we want to be as accessible and convenient as possible for them. With this app, sending a thank you gift to clients following a meeting can be done on your way out the door," said Yvo Smit, VP of Restaurant & Retail, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. "We have created a robust mobile web storefront in addition to the iPhone app that has allowed us to extend our mobile capabilities to today's most popular smartphone."
The Digby Mobile Commerce Suite will enable Ghirardelli to offer many customer-inspired features to its shoppers, such as:
- Quick access to its most popular products
- Rich product descriptions and full-color images
- Address book integration
- Secure transactions and password-protected purchasing
- Seamless integration with existing backend cataloging and order processing systems
"As a visionary in multichannel retail, Ghirardelli is sensitive to its customers needs and continues to innovate and expand its cross-channel strategies," noted Dave Sikora, CEO of Digby. "We are pleased to launch our relationship with Ghirardelli by providing them with the latest in mobile commerce technology."
The Digby Mobile Commerce Suite is a Software-as-a-Service platform designed to allow retailers to quickly and easily extend their current e-Commerce infrastructure to the mobile channel. Retailers have access to branded and customized storefronts for the mobile web in addition to downloadable storefronts for all major smartphone platforms. The result is a transformative user experience that enables consumers to easily search for merchandise and complete transactions right from their mobile phone.
About The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products. Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has an incredibly rich American history. As the country's longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, Ghirardelli has established its position as America's Premium Chocolate Company with more than 150 years of chocolate making experience. Ghirardelli's product line includes its signature Squares chocolate, Intense Dark chocolate, LUXE MILK chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages. These items are sold through select specialty stores, grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and department stores. In addition, Ghirardelli sells a line of premium chocolate, syrups and drinks for the Food Service channel. Ghirardelli currently owns and operates 14 retail stores in five states, including the original Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop located in San Francisco's historic Ghirardelli Square. For more information about Ghirardelli, visit www.ghirardelli.com.
About Digby
Digby is the premier mobile commerce solution provider powering the mobile channel for top retailers. The award winning Digby Mobile Commerce Suite is a fully managed, SaaS solution giving retailers the ability to engage and sell to customers on the go. The combination of on-device, rich application and mobile web storefronts creates a best of breed offering that provides retailers everything they need for a complete mobile channel strategy. Digby mobile storefronts include easy search, browse and purchase capabilities, account management, integration with on device personal information, secure wallet and location based service functionality. Led by software industry veterans, the privately held company is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For additional information, please visit www.digby.com.
SOURCE: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company