Artigianati.com

by Steven Oberbeck

Small and minority-owned businesses have a chance to expand product sales through a partnership with Overstock.com, the Salt Lake City-based online discount retailer.

Dubbed the "Main Street Revolution Initiative," the effort is designed to increase the visibility of small businesses that lack exposure to national markets, said Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne.

"By joining our network small-business owners can reduce their supply chain costs and expand the awareness of their products among a much bigger audience," Byrne said. "

Initially the products that those businesses will offer for sale will be listed in their appropriate shopping categories on Overstock.com, he said. But once a critical mass of partners is reached, their products will be consolidated into a "Main Street" store on the company's website.

Christina Johnson, whose two-year-old start-up business AyAyAy International sells a line of active wear and fitness clothing, said she is optimistic about the new marketing opportunity.

"I'm in the process of joining now," Johnson said, adding that she believes the new initiative will, for the first time, give her business the opportunity to market its products to a national audience.....

Read more at  -  http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_14984961