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Selling point: High-end lifestyle
Back story: Launched in 2007 by Harvard MBA's Alexandra Wilkis Wilson and Alexis Maybank. Before Gilt, Maybank was a founding member of eBay and Wilson worked for Bulgari and Loius Vuitton.
Membership: 2 million
Sale stats: Dozen of sales start daily and last 36 hours. Products include women's, men's and children's apparel, home goods, travel packages, food and wine at discounts up to 70 percent off.
Corporate info: Based in New York; 400 employees
Projected annual revenue: $500 million
Choice brands: Marni, Valentino, Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen
Choice deal: Tom Binns crystal collar flower necklace for $595 ($1,588 retail)
Of note: Plans include customizing the user experience with deals targeted to specific geographic regions.
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Selling point: Less luxury, more contemporary and bridge apparel
Back story: Launched in 2007 by Paul Hurley, who has a background in web technology. Previous companies include Cypress Research, Cypress Shopper and Aveo.
Membership: Nearly 3 million
Sale stats: Several sales start daily and usually last 40 hours. Products include women's and children's apparel and home goods at discounts up to 80 percent.
Corporate: Based in New York; 100 employees
Projected annual revenue: $150 million
Choice brands: OC by Oleg Cassini, Tarina Tarantino
Choice deal: D&G sunflower print maxidress for $108 ($525 retail)
Of note: Hurley believes accessible brands are the real opportunity for private sale sites. The company recently introduced IdeelAccess, a national social commerce web platform.
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Selling point: Boutique experience with up-and-coming brands
Back story: Launched in beta November 2009 by Richard Cusick, former SVP at TV Guide. Creative process was led by Eve Epstein, DailyCandy former editor in chief.
Membership: Not disclosed
Sale stats: Five to six sales per week that last 2 to 3 days. Women's wear and accessories at discounts up to 70 percent.
Corporate: Based in Los Angeles and New York; 25 employees. A division of Comcast Interactive Media.
Projected annual revenue: Not disclosed
Choice brands: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Amrita Singh, Thread Social
Choice deal: Otrera evil eye scarf for $79 ($198 retail)
Of note: The newest player, Swirl is trying to tap into a niche audience of hip early adopters. Merchandise is curated by DailyCandy editors.
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Selling point: National brands, somewhat bland style
Back story: Founded in 2008 by Michael Feldman, who has 25 years in software and IT
Membership: 350,000
Sale stats: Several sales per week that last 1 to 3 days. Women's apparel and accessories at discounts up to 75 percent.
Corporate: Based in Milburn, N.J.; 11 employees
Projected annual revenue: $4 million to $5 million
Choice brands: London Fog, Invicta, Josh Brody
Choice deal: Stripped cotton Sydney Love tote bag for $49 ($65 retail)
Of note: Sister site Top Button.com lists brick-and-mortar sample sites in New York and Los Angeles and organizes weekly sample-sale shopping tours.
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Selling Point: Luxury accessories
Back story: Founded in 2007 by Michael Meerzoumen, who recently launched BeautyStory.com, a private-sale beauty site. Now owned by Swiss Watch International Group.
Membership: 500,000
Sale stats: Five sales per week that last 2 to 4 days. Women's and men's apparel and accessories at discounts up to 85 percent.
Corporate: Based in Hollywood, Fla.; more than 100 employees.
Projected annual revenue: $15 million to $20 million
Choice brands: Tag Heuer watches, Michael Kors and Gucci eyewear, Coach bags
Choice deal: Cartier Tank Francaise 18k gold watch for $9,500 ($16,900 retail)
Of note: Has same-day shipping on most orders.
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Selling Point: West Coast lifestyle, casual sensibility
Back story: Launched in 2007 by Adam Bernhard, former executive VP of international business at Joie and founder of Liquid8, an inventory clearance company.
Membership: 2.7 million
Sales stats: Several sales start daily and last about 48 hours. Products include women's, men's and children's apparel, home and beauty products, food and wine at discounts up to 75 percent.
Corporate: Based in Los Angeles; 176 employees
Projected annual revenue: More than $100 million
Choice brands: Herve Leger, Bulgari, Taschen, BCBG
Choice deal: Skinny jeans by 7 For All Mankind for $99 ($218 retail)
Of note: Unlike other sites, HauteLook does not purchase inventory: It acts as a platform for brand partners. Has team up with People Style Watch, InStyle and Lucky magazine on sales.
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Selling point: Wide appeal
Back story: Launched in 2008 by Ben Fischman, the first entrepreneur-in-residence at the VC firm General Catalyst and founder of Lids Corp., retailer of sports caps. Rue La La is part of GSI Commerce Inc., which also operates SmartBargains.com.
Membership: 1.8 million
Sale stats: Three to five sales daily that last 48 hours. Products include women's, men's and children's apparel, beauty and home products, travel packages, food and wine at discounts up to 70 percent.
Corporate: Based in Boston, 264 employees
Projected annual revenue: $200 million
Choice brands: Judith Leiber, Hickey Freeman, Theory
Choice deal: Botkier "Howard Street" satchel for $279 ($625 retail)
Of note: Rue La La already has apps for the iPhone and iPad. Has featured apparel created by MTV star Whitney Port and partnered with Elle magazine on sales.
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Selling point: Hosts online sales and offline events, often entertainment-related
Back story: Founded as an events production company for multi-designer sample sales. Billion Dollar Babes was acquired in April by Delivery Agent, a multimedia platform to connect viewers with products in TV shows and movies.
Membership: 1 million
Sale stats: More than 15 sales a week that last 48 hours and six annual offline sales. Women's and men's apparel, accessories and beauty products at up to 80 percent off.
Corporate: Parent company Delivery Agent is based in San Francisco; Billion Dollar Babes is in Los Angeles.
Projected annual revenue: Not disclosed
Choice brands: Kitson, Bing Bang, Chanel vintage jewelry
Choice deal: Vintage red Gucci gown for $1,295
Of note: Has featured jewelry worn on the The Hills and Gothic fashion inspired by Twilight Eclipse.
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Selling point: "Private sales straight from the set" tied to TV, movies, videos, music and sports.
Back story: The sunglasses worn by Brad Pitt in Ocean's Eleven were the inspiration for Delivery Agent, founded in 2001, and the subsequent launch of SeenOn. Delivery Agent CEO Mike Fitzsimmons wanted to buy the shades but couldn't find them.
Membership: 500,000
Sale stats: Fifteen sales a week that last 72 hours. Women's and men's apparel, accessories and beauty products up to 80 percent off.
Corporate: Parent company Delivery Agent is based in San Francisco; 125 employees
Projected annual revenue: Not disclosed
Choice brands: Trina Turk, Tylie Malibu, Doc Marten
Choice deal: $59 Doc Marten boots ($115 retail)
Of note: Has featured clothes by Project Runway designers.
-B.M. Entrepreneur Magazine
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