February 14 2007

Retailers increasingly move to expert solutions

The growth in internet retailing is good news not only for retailers but also for suppliers to the industry. Solutions suppliers, Gomez and Mercado, have both announced rapid growth for 2006.

Search and merchandising solution specialist Mercado has announced that 2006 was its best year ever - having more than tripled revenues over 2005. The US-based company also more than doubled its installed base in 2006, adding retail brands such as Blacks Leisure Group to the roster of retailers using its solutions.

Meanwhile, Gomez - web application experience management solutions - has announced revenue growth of more than 45% for its year ended 31 December 2006. Gomez acquired 180 new customers around the world in 2006, including 46 retailers, and has now acquired Swedish company Sysformance.

The acquisition brings 175 European companies to Gomez's global customer base and increases its network coverage by more than 300%. "With the European market for internet monitoring and customer experience management solutions growing at 25% year over year, the Sysformance / Gomez combination presents a powerful opportunity for our current and future customers," said Jaime Ellertson CEO of Gomez.

Gomez also gains expertise in providing internet performance monitoring to small to medium-size business - expertise which it will be able to leverage globally.

Emma Herrod