Try these numbers on for size. When Fry (founded in 1994) started off 2007, the Ann Arbor-based company had 200 employees. Today the e-commerce firm employs nearly 300 people and expects to keep growing for the foreseeable future.
Within the last three years it has opened its fourth office in San Francisco, acquired one company and launched a joint venture with Meijer called Qponix. Revenues have increased 30 percent between 2006 and 2007.
Saying business is doing okay would be a bit of an understatement.
"We still see a lot of opportunity for new business in the e-commerce space," says David Fry, CEO. "As e-commerce has matured, fewer people shop online for the first time each year, but those consumers who do shop online, do so consistently. Those seasoned shoppers have high expectations for their online experiences."
That's where Fry comes in. It helps online retailers that are replacing or rebuilding their e-commerce platforms. The firm does everything from designing to building to hosting the sites. The list of clients includes a variety of businesses, ranging from The Auto Club Group to Crate & Barrel to Whirlpool.
David Fry expects his company to expand in the distributed commerce sector, which means it will helps people shop nearly anywhere and at any time on the Internet. He also sees potential in helping retailers utilize social networking sites to increase product awareness.
Source: David Fry, CEO of Fry
Writer: Jon Zemke
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