iVillage Launches E-Commerce Program.

Leading online women_s network iVillage Inc. lit the candle Tuesday on its new e-commerce retail program, reaching sponsorship agreements with eight high-profile companies that totaled $36.1 million. Dubbed "Shopping Solutions," more than $21.1 million of the total came under the aegis of new sponsorship, with the remaining $15 million coming from Planet Rx.com. Sponsors include Gap.com, Garden.com, Gloss.com, Macys.com, Nordstrom.com, Petopia.com, PlanetRx.com and Tavolo.com. These companies pledge to offer relevant, high-quality products in a familiar, user friendly-environment. iVillage will create a new section appearing on its site_s home page that will provide links to "members only" specials, or leading products from the partners listed in the deal. "Women love to shop, but are often too busy to search through all the different locations for the different products that they need and want," said Candice Carpenter, chief executive officer of iVillage. "As shopping environments get more cluttered, we have developed a Web-based resource that can solve those shopping hassles for women and simplify their lives." The move is part of iVillage_s expansion plan, which was bolstered last June when the company teamed up with iMaternity in an e-commerce agreement.