- DStore
Infobox Dotcom company
company_name = dStore Australia Pty Ltd
company_type = Public (Unlisted) Company
company_slogan = "your online department store"
foundation = 1999
location_city =Fortitude Valley, Queensland
location_country =Australia
key_people = Andrew Cooper, CEO
industry =Retail
products = dStore.com.au
dStore.com
url = [http://dstore.com.au dstore.com.au]
caption = Screenshot of Amazon.com home page
website_type =e-commerce
language = English
launch_date = 1999__TOC__
History
David Gold, Formerly vicepresident of business development for LookSmart Australia, established dStore in January 1999. Gold recognised the need for dStore to win the trust of consumers and build a relationship with them in order to win their business, and put his money where his mouth was, using TV to establish a big brand presence [cite web | url=http://www.bandt.com.au/news/14/0c003214.asp | title= The top 10 most influential people | accessdate = 2008-05-22 ] .
In its early days, dStore raised around AU$36 million and was backed by some of the biggest names in Australian business [cite web | url=http://www.eps.net.au/onestop/story.asp?id=155 | title=Dstore confirms first profit | accessdate = 2008-05-22 ] including the founder of LookSmart, Evan Thornley, and Kerry Packer's ninemsn. Businessman and former NSW Premier, Nick Greiner, gave up a board seat at
Coles Myer to become chairman of dstore but resigned shortly before it was sold for an undisclosed sum to the Harris Scarfe group in November 2000 for AU$3 million [cite web | url=http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;10310010 | title=HotShed eyes dstore | accessdate = 2008-05-22 ] .dStore is reported to have burnt through $23 million in its first year of operating due to difficulty in luring online customers, and a failed bid to raise a further $10 million among investors in January 2000 [cite web | url=http://www.cio.com.au/index.php/id;1205605284 | title=Dstore Sold to Bricks-and-Mortar Chain | accessdate = 2008-05-22 ] .
In April 2001,
Harris Scarfe was placed in receivership and dstore was offered for sale by receivers and managers,Ferrier Hodgson . HotShed Retail acquired dStore on the 10th of September, 2001. HotShed Retail paid a reported $615,000 for dStore and immediately re-launched it using HotShed’s technology platform. A break-even result for dstore was reported in the 2001 Christmas quarter [cite web | url=http://www.eps.net.au/onestop/story.asp?id=155 | title=Dstore confirms first profit | accessdate = 2008-05-22 ] .Locations
dStore's fulfilment centres are located in capital cities around Australia as well as in the United States and Hong Kong.
Product & Services
After being acquired by HotShed Retail, dStore initially sold VHS Movies, CDs and console games before expanding into gifts, DVDs, fragrances, cosmetics, homewares, toys, computers, electronics, books and more. dStore also provides reward and incentive programs for corporate clients.
References
External links
* [http://dstore.com.au/ dStore.com.au (Australian Website)]
* [http://dstore.com/ dStore.com (International Website)]
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