Dreams launches Purdue University online store, marks 61st web syndication client

Licensed sports product retailer Dreams (AMEX:DRJ) said Wednesday that it has launched Purdue University's new online merchandise store, featuring expanded products, and improved search features.

The site, at www.PurdueOfficialStore.com, includes an assortment of hard and soft goods, including apparel, headwear, gifts, home decor and collectible items.

Mounted Memories, the sports memorabilia manufacturing division of Dreams, is supplying game-used, autographed and non-autographed products for purchase as well, the company said.

The site was designed using Dreams' e-commerce technology, expected to provide a "substantial lift" in sales for the university's sportswear products.

Aside from its online fan shops selling licensed sports products, Florida-based Dreams' recent growth is also reflective of its web syndication platform, a market which it entered in late 2008 by rolling out "Dreams Retail Solution", a host of e-commerce support services including custom site design, inventory, management and marketing. 

Clients of the new platform currently include Walmart, JC Penney and Sears, as well as NBC Sports and AOL Sports, and the list is set to expand even further. 

The new, multi-year marketing partnership with Purdue marks Dreams’ 61st Web syndication client, and its third alliance with a college, following the University of Miami Hurricanes and the University of Texas Longhorns.

"Purdue’s new online shop provides its fans a greater range of gear and trend-specific merchandise to choose from,” said president of Dreams’ retail division Kevin Bates.

"By employing our unique e-commerce technology and our robust distribution network, Purdue is able to offer in a turn-key fashion an enhanced shopping experience while realizing a stronger revenue stream in support of team activities."

Senior director for customer relationship marketing at Purdue, Mary King, commented on the deal: "With students and alumni residing in all 50 states and 130 countries, an online partnership with Dreams offers our fans both near and far an opportunity to show their Boilermaker pride by shopping for Purdue merchandise whenever and wherever they want.”