Gilt Groupe

Facebook’s IPO Marks the End of the Web 2.0 Era: The Social Web Is the New King

Michael Jones, CEO, Science in Voices on February 3 at 10:47 am PT

I recently spent the weekend at a unique event that brought founders, entrepreneurs and investors together. I was fortunate enough to spend time with the original pioneer of social networking.

News Byte

Gilt Groupe Snags New Chief Marketing Officer from JustFabulous

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on February 3 at 9:20 am PT

Closely following dozens of layoffs, the Gilt Groupe has appointed Elizabeth Francis to the position of chief marketing officer. Francis will be responsible for acquiring new customers and customer retention across the company’s flash sales sites and full-priced apparel and food sites. Francis takes over the role from Alexis Maybank, a founder of Gilt, who will resume the position of chief strategy officer. Prior to Gilt, Francis was the chief marketing officer at Intelligent Beauty and president of JustFabulous, an online fashion and accessories brand that recently raised $33 million in capital.

News Byte

Home Decor Flash Sales Site LuxeYard Raises $3.5 Million in Capital

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 23 at 9:01 pm PT

LuxeYard, a home decor flash sales and group-buying site, has secured $3.5 million in new capital from undisclosed investors. The Los Angeles company is also unveiling a redesigned site that allows members to participate in two new ways: First, members can post photos of items that they would like to purchase at a discount; and second, they can drive prices down by encouraging others to buy the product on social networks. The more people who buy it, the less expensive it becomes. LuxeYard will be competing against Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, One Kings Lane, Fab.com and other similar sites.

Gilt Groupe Cuts Include 10 Percent of Employees and Two Executives

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 23 at 10:04 am PT

The luxury e-commerce and flash sales site has trimmed roughly 10 percent — as many as 90 — of its employees, including some of its management team.

Expedia Tries Out New Last-Minute Deals Site Relying on User-Generated Data

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 19 at 9:58 am PT

Here’s a new twist on flash sales deals in which users — not suppliers — find the best prices for last-minute travel deals.

Fab.com Acquires FashionStake After Seven Months of Rapid Growth

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 13 at 6:00 am PT

Fab.com, a New York-based flash sales site known for selling home decor, apparel and other items from independent designers, has acquired FashionStake.

Gilt Groupe CEO: Restructuring Rumors Overblown, IPO Still on Track

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 11 at 9:58 am PT

Kevin Ryan is denying rumors this morning that the luxury e-commerce company is undergoing a massive restructuring; nearly all of its 900 employees and business units remain intact.

Zappos Founder Focuses on Brand Loyalty for His Next Gig

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on November 16, 2011 at 8:12 am PT

As soon as Nike started to sell its merchandise on Zappos, founder Nick Swinmurn stopped wearing Adidas and became a fan — he has about 50 pairs of Nike shoes in his closet.

News Byte

Gilt Groupe Expands E-Commerce Sites Into 90 Countries

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on November 8, 2011 at 11:01 am PT

Gilt Groupe is expanding its flash sales sites from the U.S. into 90 countries worldwide, entering markets where the flash sales concept originated. The membership site sells apparel for men, women and kids, as well as home decor, at close to 60 percent off retail price. Next month, the full-price brand Park & Bond will follow. Gilt has partnered with FiftyOne to enable international transactions, including currency conversion and delivery.

O.co Shutters at Least Three Businesses, As It Questions New Commerce Models

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on November 6, 2011 at 6:30 pm PT

O.co has shut down three of its product categories, and a fourth is on hold, after some of its experiments over the past couple of years have not penciled out.