“I welcome Retale to Chicago as a vibrant addition to our thriving business communities here in the city,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “A company with such broad global reach will benefit greatly by having its U.S. headquarters in Chicago, where it will be able to tap into our world-class transportation system and the most talented workforce anywhere. I look forward to Retale’s continued growth and success.”
Retale is the U.S.-based operations of Bonial International Group, a global network for location-based shopping information. With a presence in Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Moscow and São Paulo, Bonial has a total of 12 million users worldwide and 230 employees. Bonial is majority-owned by Axel Springer AG, a leading integrated multimedia company in Europe. Chicago will be the company’s first expansion into the U.S. market and signifies its rapid growth and success worldwide.
“We are thrilled to be launching our U.S. operations in Chicago as we make our sixth country debut this holiday season,” said Patrice Dermody, U.S. President of Retale. “The central location to our clients, access to technology and retail talent, and two major airport thoroughfares here was paramount in making our decision.” An added consideration for Retale in choosing its 3,800 square foot office downtown was its proximity to talent at institutions such as Columbia College and Flashpoint Academy for internships or full-time hires.
Retale replicates the print circular experience for consumers in a digital format, while providing new functionality that can’t be incorporated into print. Shoppers can page through the digital version as they normally would, but they also can search by product or brand to locate local store sale items, create shopping lists, create alerts for items, share deals with friends on social media, and even view videos or other product information.
For retailers, Retale provides new opportunities to reach circular readers who are migrating from print to digital, as well as a new generation of shoppers who are more likely to shop using their mobile devices or tablets. Currently, circulars from nearly 50 retailers are scheduled to join Retale, including Anna’s Linens, Family Dollar, h.h.gregg, Kohl’s, Meijer, Menards, Pet Supplies Plus, RadioShack, Sears, Target, The Room Place, Tiger Direct and Toys“R”Us.
“We welcome Retale to Chicago, where the company will find tremendous connections to its retail clients throughout North America, along with easy access to international markets,” said WBC President & CEO Jeff Malehorn. “In addition, the city’s thriving technology community and universities also provide access to the talent essential for Retale to prosper.”
Retale’s Chicago location places the company in an ideal location to reach partner retailers and puts the company in the heart of the city’s thriving tech community. The city is home to more than 1,500 digital technology companies, employing more than 40,000 people (up 21% in 2013), with a tech startup launched in Chicago every 24 hours, according to Built in Chicago.
Fostering innovation and building momentum around the region’s technology industry is a key component of the city’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, called for by Mayor Emanuel and currently being implemented by World Business Chicago (WBC). As a part of the Plan, WBC is working to drive growth and opportunity in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship with its ChicagoNEXT council. In addition, the Plan aims to make the region the location of choice for headquarters of global companies such as Bonial.
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Retale, a Bonial International (http://www.bonialinternationalgroup.com/) company, is a U.S. location-based mobile app and website that aggregates weekly retail circulars. Building on success abroad and backed by a U.S team of retail veterans, Retale works with top retailers from across the country to give shoppers a digital alternative to print circulars. Retale is available on the web, mobile, tablet and as a downloadable app accessible on any device.