GSI Commerce Inc. signed an extension and expansion of its multiyear e-commerce agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) to 2019. Sales at Shop.NHL.com have more than tripled since its launch of the site on the GSI platform in 2005.
Under the new 10-year agreement, GSI will continue to provide Shop.NHL.com, with e-commerce technology, fulfillment, customer care, catalog and interactive marketing services. In addition, GSI plans to open a fulfillment center in Ontario, Canada, which will enable Shop.NHL.com to drive incremental revenues, streamline order fulfillment and provide excellence in customer service for its Canadian fans.
In addition to continuing to customize team jerseys, the agreement expands customization services for the NHL by providing on-demand customization for a broader assortment of apparel items that includes T-shirts and sweatshirts. GSI will also continue to design, develop and distribute the NHLâ€s printed merchandise catalogs to consumers three times each year.
“GSI is a valued partner of the NHL and is helping us accelerate our e-commerce strategy with best-of-breed solutions in technology, fulfillment, customer care, catalogs and interactive marketing services,” said Perry Cooper, senior vice president of Digital Media. “As our needs have evolved, GSI has worked closely with us to develop a solution to the benefit of fans. They are committed to helping the NHL meet strategic goals and we are pleased to have them as our partner for the long term.”
GSI provides interactive marketing services to the NHL through its two divisions, gsi interactivesm and e-Dialog. e-Dialog provides e-mail marketing services, while gsi interactive provides search, comparative shopping, affiliate channel, retargeting, blog and social networking services.
“The NHL is committed to a digital media strategy that will help them to further engage their passionate fan base and we are excited to be a part of this,” said Bob Liewald, executive vice president of sporting goods for GSI. “NHL fans will continue to benefit from a great online shopping experience while having the opportunity to design more of their own personalized apparel. GSI is fully poised to deliver on the NHL's desire to have a relevant and high-quality relationship with its fan base.”
GSI has agreements to manage the Web stores for all of the major professional sports leagues in the U.S., which includes the NHL, Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA and NASCAR. Major League Soccer is managed through GSI's relationship with Baseball Advanced Media.
