E-commerce resource The Marketplace for Outdoor Living launches

Alexa Boschini -- Casual Living, 7/27/2012 12:57:37 PM

PHILADELPHIA — After several months of development, e-commerce site The Marketplace for Outdoor Living launched this week.

The Marketplace for Outdoor Living is the primary e-commerce site for Top Dog Outdoor Living Inc., a company founded by former Two Dogs Designs Inc. CEO and partner Sharon DeFelice.

The company announced the site will offer special promotions throughout the summer as part of its initial launch phase.

The site offers an assortment of outdoor furniture, accessories and grills for consumers, buyers and hospitality professionals. Products include barbecue grills and accessories, hammocks, umbrellas, firepits, fountains, gazebos, outdoor lighting, garden décor, outdoor rugs and patio furniture.

"I think the site is looking great," DeFelice said. "We have so much more to add. We've had an incredible response from vendors in the industry."

DeFelice spent eight years with Two Dogs Designs Inc. before founding Top Dog Outdoor Living Inc. in 2012. She said she saw an opportunity for the outdoor market in e-commerce, and Top Dog Outdoor Living has been working since February to secure clients and design the site.

"I saw a niche that was not quite being filled," DeFelice said. "This is the way I wanted to fill it. I thought it was time and the market had grown enough and come back enough that there was an opportunity to do that."

During the site's kick-off promotion, The Marketplace for Outdoor Living will offer 15% off products showcased on the site. The Marketplace for Outdoor Living will also offer an additional 3% off for customers who register for the Top Dog Rewards program.

The site will add new products weekly throughout August as part of the launch.

The Marketplace for Outdoor Living will also incorporate "sister sites" dedicated to major outdoor product categories, such as patio, grilling and outdoor entertaining. As the site continues to grow, DeFelice said it will include more product categories, as well as hospitality industry-specific sister sites.

"As we grow, the industry is telling us what they want, and that's what we're trying to accommodate," she said.

For more information, visit themarketplaceforoutdoorliving.com, topdogoutdoorliving.com or the site's Facebook page.