USAOPEN – Company Spotlight – GILT GROUPE

Gilt Groupe

In Fashion & On Budget

What could be more fun than keeping up with fashion trends? How about keeping up with fashion trends on a budget? It may sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what online retailer Gilt Groupe is offering millions of happy shoppers.

Online retail shopping has exploded over the past decade and is now a multi-billion dollar industry. But while online shopping provides a convenience factor, it doesn’t always provide the highest quality items at an affordable price. Enter Gilt Groupe. Founded in 2007, the online retailer offers members-only shopping on designer clothing and accessories. Here’s how it works: members receive access to daily sales of up to 70% off on designer items. For example, a Carolina Herrera silk gown, originally priced at $8,990, is offered on Gilt for a fraction of the cost at just $2,299. Or a Cuisinart cookware set originally priced at $380, offered for just under $100.

While the steep discounts are impressive, what really sets Gilt apart from other discount stores are the “flash sales” which provide members with exclusive deals that the general public doesn’t have access to. In a 2013 article in Smart CEO Magazine, Gilt CEO Michelle Peluso pointed out that the company also aims to provide value to consumers, saying, “Value could mean 60 percent off the retail price, but it also could mean the first time a shopper is going to see a particular new collection or it could be exclusive colors or cuts designed just for Gilt.”

Gilt members can also purchase items via Facebook and mobile devices, making it easier for customers to nab deals on the go. What’s more, while the exclusive deals are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, members can add sold out items to a waitlist and are notified as soon as the item is available in stock again.
With more than 6 million members today, it’s no wonder that Gilt Groupe has stolen the hearts of shoppers (and bargain hunters) everywhere.

For more information on Gilt Groupe, please visit: www.gilt.com.