Persuading retailers to carry the product has been a challenge for Mr. Kaller, a neophyte inventor.

Atari has essentially decided to buy distribution in the United States because it has been stymied in its attempts to persuade established retailers to carry its wares.

A few years ago, the company began selling clothing and specialty items like gourmet food by persuading third-party retailers to sell their products through the Amazon.com Web site.

The nationwide boycott was assisted by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and was successful in persuading retailers, wholesalers and customers not to buy from or do business with Loewe.

Mr. Hamel, of CrossMedia, said he was doing research using offline shoppers to persuade retailers that their online advertising dollars increase store sales.

The setup has persuaded large retailers like Home Depot and, most recently, Wal-Mart Stores to offer G.E. refrigerators and the like.

Mr. Gates said he was at first skeptical that the group would be able to persuade large retailers to participate.

Most notably, it has moved from a "push" strategy of using incentives to persuade retailers to hawk its shimmering eye shadows and fragrant shampoos aggressively to a "pull" strategy that focuses on increasing consumer demand.

The industry may have a tough time persuading retailers to take bold moves to restrict access to some of the products they sell.

CES is essentially a sales meeting, where the business gets together and manufacturers try to persuade retailers, carriers and wholesalers to take up their new idea.