Affiliate marketing system and method for retail stores

• US 7,644,862 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gofiniti LLC
• Original Assignee: Gofiniti LLC
• Inventors: Rolf, Devon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Franklin, Jamara A
• Application Number:
  US11/375,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20070219872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/385, 705/14, 705/26
• US Class Current: 235/383
• 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 a unique identifier corresponding to the retail store and a website address located on at least one of said product and a package for said product; 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, wherein said purchase made via said website is of an item that is first identified, by a buyer of said product, via said website from a location other than said retail store and after said product has been purchased at said retail store.

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 said purchase made at said website.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said providing a product in a retail store comprises providing an informational product that provides information on a subject matter, said method further comprising offering on said website an appliance related to said subject matter, wherein said purchase made at said website comprises a purchase of said appliance.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said providing a product in a retail store comprises providing an appliance for use in a task, said method further comprising offering on said website a second product that is used with said appliance, wherein said purchase made at said website comprises a purchase of said second product.

9. A method comprising:

offering a product in a retail store that has a unique identifier corresponding to the retail store and a website address located on at least one of said product and a package for said product; and

receiving a commission for a purchase made at a website associated with the website address based up on entry at the website of the unique identifier, wherein said purchase made via said website is of an item that is first identified, by a buyer of said product, via said website from a location other than said retail store and after said product has been purchased at said retail store.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 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.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said offering a product in a retail store comprises offering an informational product that provides information on a subject matter, said method further comprising offering on said website an appliance related to said subject matter, wherein said purchase made at said website comprises a purchase of said appliance.

12. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said offering a product in a retail store comprises providing an appliance for use in a task, said method further comprising offering on said website a second product that is used with said appliance, wherein said purchase made at said website comprises a purchase of said second product.

13. 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 a unique identifier for identifying the first source and a website address associated with the second source located on at least one of said product and a package for said product, 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, wherein said purchase made via said website is of an item that is first identified, by a buyer of said product, via said website from a location other than said retail store and after said product has been purchased at said retail store.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13, 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.

15. 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 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 located on at least one of said product and a package for said product, 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, wherein said purchase made via said website is of an item that is first identified, by a buyer of said product, via said website from a location other than said retail store and after said product has been purchased at said retail store.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein a purchase at said website that includes an entry of said unique identifier further results in a commission for said first source.

17. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein a purchase at said website that includes an entry of said unique identifier further results in a commission for said second source.

18. The system as set forth in claim 15, 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.

19. The system as set forth in claim 15, 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.