GSI to Acquire Rue La La, SmartBargains
GSI Commerce announces it will acquire Retail Convergence, the operator of RueLaLa.com, an e-commerce site that operates in the private sale sector, and SmartBargains.com, an off-price e-commerce marketplace.
Launched in April 2008, Rue La La is a members-only, e-commerce destination offering premier brands at discount prices during two-day private sale events in the fashion, accessories, footwear, home, jewelry and other emerging merchandise categories. Since inception, Rue La La has featured private sale events from more than 300 brands.
Rue La La's membership has grown to more than 1.2 million members in 18 months and continues to grow rapidly, driven by viral marketing and e-mail marketing services, powered by e-Dialog, GSI's e-mail marketing division. Rue La La's engaged membership base, with approximately 10 percent of its members visiting the site daily, and high repeat purchase rate have led to rapid growth of net revenues with estimated third quarter 2009 net revenues expected to increase almost five times from the third quarter of 2008.
SmartBargains.com, launched in 1999, is a consumer marketplace for the sale of off-price merchandise across a wide cross-section of categories.
Launched in April 2008, Rue La La is a members-only, e-commerce destination offering premier brands at discount prices during two-day private sale events in the fashion, accessories, footwear, home, jewelry and other emerging merchandise categories. Since inception, Rue La La has featured private sale events from more than 300 brands.
Rue La La's membership has grown to more than 1.2 million members in 18 months and continues to grow rapidly, driven by viral marketing and e-mail marketing services, powered by e-Dialog, GSI's e-mail marketing division. Rue La La's engaged membership base, with approximately 10 percent of its members visiting the site daily, and high repeat purchase rate have led to rapid growth of net revenues with estimated third quarter 2009 net revenues expected to increase almost five times from the third quarter of 2008.
SmartBargains.com, launched in 1999, is a consumer marketplace for the sale of off-price merchandise across a wide cross-section of categories.