Sports apparel and gear retailer Altrec.com launches first print catalog

Altrec.com has released its first of two print catalogs for the fall/winter season in an effort to stimulate additional online sales as well as new phone-based orders. The second catalog will focus more on holiday gifts and winter gear. "We’re offering customers a new way to shop while showcasing outdoor products that are in high demand," says CEO Mike Morford.

The first catalog, called "EPIC, Fall 0-3 – Winter 04," will print with 30 pages, but Altrec declines to say how may copies it will distribute. Altrec will deliver it mostly to its existing customer base, but also to consumers who have signed up for its e-mail marketing messages.

To keep its online and catalog channels closely integrated, Altrec will synchronize promotional offers and present the same mix of merchandise. It says will eventually run an electronic version of the catalog on the web site, but declines to say if it will publish additional seasonal catalogs next year.

Like its web site, Altrec’s catalog will feature images intended to build on shoppers’ interest in and passion for sports with photography depicting actual outdoor enthusiasts engaging in outdoor sports, the retailer says.