Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Biz Buzz: eBay deepens its fashion closet

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.



Next month, online marketplace giant eBay is set to launch a new section of the site specifically devoted to designer sample sales, a la sites like Ideeli and Gilt Groupe. 

The “Fashion Vault,” as it is called, will offer clothes and accessories at seriously discounted prices for limited periods of time, or during what are called “flash sales.” According to WWD, the initial setup will include weekly flash sales, but the rate of sales will steadily increase over following months. Last year, eBay tested designer labels Hugo Boss, DKNY, Max Mara and Cole Haan for the new site feature, and shoppers can expect to see the same names again in the future.

EBay also now boasts an online outlet mall, currently featuring pieces from Lord & Taylor and next month, merchandise from Brooks Brothers. If you can’t wait for the official March opening, you’ll be glad to know Narciso Rodriguez and Norma Kamali already have capsule collections, for prices well below their higher-end counterparts, available on the site. Other brands and stores are expected to jump on board in the future, as well.

“We are playing to our strengths,” said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces, to WWD. “EBay is the number-one clothing site on the Internet… Whether it’s Tory Burch or Levi’s jeans, we’ve got it,” she said. “…We are focused on taking that store with great values and great inventory and really unlocking that in new ways. We want to have a complement of experiences.”

- by Jasmine Thomas

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