Affliate marketing system and method for retail stores

• US 20070219872A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gofiniti LLC
• Original Assignee: Gofigure LLC A Missouri Limited Liability Company
• Inventors: Rolf, Devon
• Granted Patent: US 7,644,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A affiliate marketing system and method for retail stores involves assigning a unique retail store identifier to a retail store and presenting the unique retail store identifier and a website address in conjunction with a product offered for sale in the retail store. A purchaser of the product may access the website and make a purchase. By entering the identity of the retail store, such as by entry of the unique retail store identifier or by selecting the retail store from a list, a commission for the purchase is allocated to the retail store

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a product in a retail store that has associated with it a unique identifier corresponding to the retail store and a website address; and

allocating a commission to the retail store for a purchase made at a website associated with the website address based upon entry at the website of the unique identifier.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising offering products on said website that are not offered in said retail store but that fall in a category that corresponds to said product provided in said retail store.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising storing details of a customer who made a purchase at said website in a database record.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising associating said customer and said retail store in said database record.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said purchase is an initial purchase, said method further comprising allocating a commission to said retail store on a subsequent purchase at said website.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising offering with said product a discount on a said purchase made at said website.

7. A method comprising:

offering a product in a retail store that has associated with it a unique identifier corresponding to the retail store and a website address; and

receiving a commission for a purchase made at a website associated with the website address based upon entry at the website of the unique identifier.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising offering products on said website that are not offered in said retail store but that fall in a category that corresponds to said product offered in said retail store.

9. A system comprising:

a retail store associated with a first source;

a provider of goods associated with a second source, wherein a product from said second source is offered in said retail store, wherein said product has associated with it a unique identifier for identifying the first source and a website address associated with the second source, wherein a purchase at a website associated with said website address that includes an entry of said unique identifier results in a commission for the purchase being allocated to said first source.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said website offers products that are not offered in said retail store but that fall in a category that corresponds to said product offered in said retail store.

11. A system comprising:

a retail store associated with a first source;

a provider of goods associated with a second source, wherein a product from said second source is offered in said retail store, wherein said product has associated with it a unique identifier for identifying at least one of said first source and said second source and a website address associated with a third source, wherein a purchase at a website associated with said website address that includes an entry of said unique identifier results in a commission for the purchase being allocated to at least one of said first source and said second source.

12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein a purchase at said website that includes an entry of said unique identifier further results in a commission for said first source.

13. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein a purchase at said website that includes an entry of said unique identifier further results in a commission for said second source.

14. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein a purchase at said website that includes an entry of said unique identifier further results in a commission for said first source and said second source.

15. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said website offers products that are not offered in said retail store but that fall in a category that corresponds to said product offered in said retail store.