Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Gilt Groupe plans new round of financing: CEO
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Gilt Groupe plans new round of financing: CEO
Reuters - Wednesday, December 29
Send
IM Story
Print
By Nadia Damouni
NEW YORK - Gilt Groupe plans a new round of financing in the first half of 2011 to expand beyond luxury apparel and travel, the top executive of the luxury e-commerce retailer told Reuters.
The financing will be in the range of $50 million to $100 million and will probably involve bringing in a new investor, Chief Executive Kevin Ryan said.
Known for its online "flash" sales of women's designer apparel, Gilt moved into high-end men's and children's apparel and accessories, designer home goods and luxury travel packages over the past two years.
The invitation-only shopping site, which will generate about $500 million of gross revenue for calendar 2010, was formed in 2007 and has built a cult-like following among shoppers lured by $3,000 dresses that sell for a few hundred dollars or less on Gilt.
The company was founded by Ryan, an Internet entrepreneur who ran online ad agency DoubleClick; Alexis Maybank, a former eBay executive who helped launch the online auction site's cars business; and Alexandra Wilson, an executive at Bulgari and Louis Vuitton.
Current investors include Matrix Partners and General Atlantic. About $90 million of equity has been raised to date, Ryan said.
The fresh round of financing will go toward launching new businesses. Gilt is considering moving into gourmet food sales next year and has tested new markets, such as cars, for ideas.
In April, Gilt waded into the red hot local group-buying sector, popularized by companies like Groupon. A recent email offered discounts of up to 80 percent for treatments with New York-based Dr. Shirley Madhere, "the doctor behind plastic surgery's holistic turn."
Gilt will also start selling men's fashion at full price next year and plans to announce at least one more full-price store in 2011.
Ryan said the company will continue to pursue acquisitions and pay for them with stock. In October the company made its first acquisition, buying San Francisco-based luxury deals site Bergine for an undisclosed amount.
"Over the next year I would not be surprised if we do one or two smaller acquisitions either for a new vertical, or it could be in another country that brings more to the table for us," Ryan said.
Meanwhile, the retailer also plans to begin shipping some items internationally.
Its Jetsetter division, which provides exclusive vacation deals to international clients, makes up 10 percent of the business. "We think there is a lot of potential there," Ryan said.
IPO?
As the company's controlling shareholder, Ryan said he has felt no pressure to sell in the foreseeable future.
Ryan said an initial public offering currently looks more likely. "Next summer I would start thinking about whether we want to put ourselves in a position in 2012," Ryan said.
E-commerce has been the bright spot in the volatile world of retail this year, as high unemployment and a still-shaky economy reduce consumers' desire to head to stores and shop.
Luxury online sites like Gilt Groupe have managed to keep their customers clicking due to their flash sales -- sales that offer a for a limited time -- that build on excitement and the perception of exclusivity.
Still, there are constraints to the e-commerce retail model. "Over time it certainly won't be as viral," Wedbush Morgan analyst Kerry Rice said. To remain sustainable, Rice said these companies need to invest more in the business.
For now, Gilt appears to be well ahead of its peers. Rue La La, its next competitor, is expected to generate revenue of $221 million in 2010, increasing to roughly $270 million for 2011, said Rice.
"Any competitors we have in the space like Rue La La or Haute Look are not as high-end as we are, but they are also smaller," Ryan said.
Gilt's luxury discount sales thrived during the downturn, and Ryan said it was his expectation that the business will do as well as the economy improves.
"It is a playbook out of Amazon in some ways from 10 years ago," Ryan said. "The one thing we have done better than most players is expand our product line, and we will continue to do that as we see great opportunities out there."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-TECH Summary Reuters - Wednesday, December 29
WikiLeaks, a Napster-style Internet gamechanger for 2010 AFP - Wednesday, December 29
Clooney, Google, U.N. watch Sudan using satellites Reuters - Wednesday, December 29
Changes in video games prompt optimism for 2011 Reuters - Wednesday, December 29
Gilt Groupe plans new round of financing: CEO Reuters - Wednesday, December 29
News Search
Top Stories
Shredding bad bits of 2010 is best revenge
World's oldest human remains claimed in Israel
West African deliver ultimatum to Ivory Coast's Gbagbo
PepsiCo's Russia deal wins Putin's blessing
Areva carries out capital increase
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Elton John and partner become parents: report
Playboy's Hefner proposes to 24-year-old Playmate
Tail end of US blizzard sows travel chaos
Alcatel-Lucent pays US fine on corruption charges
Israel to close door on African influx
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 29 December 2010 Spain, Russia in tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions
Germany plans cyber-warfare defense center
PepsiCo's Russia deal wins Putin's blessing
European stocks struggle for direction, euro firms
Alcatel agrees to settle bribery case for $137 million
Areva carries out capital increase
French growth revised down, public debt shrinks
Abbas Fatah faction bans former leader from meetings
|
Elton John and partner become parents: report
AMD expects non-cash gain from GlobalFoundries
Scuffles in Moscow airports amid delays
LG Group aims to lift 2011 sales by 11 percent
Thailand forces 166 back to Myanmar, UNHCR chides
|
China delays NSN's $1.2 billion buy of Motorola unit
LG Group aims to lift 2011 sales by 11 percent
Thailand forces 166 back to Myanmar, UNHCR chides
US-TECH Summary
Laxman, bowlers put India on top in SA Test
China 'stepping up anti-carrier missile tests'
Ex-HP CEO Hurd fights to keep letter confidential
|
German kindergartens told to pay before they sing
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China cuts rare earth export quotas, U.S. concerned
|
Legal threat hits Blackburn's new Indian owners
Wild Oats first to finish Sydney-Hobart yacht race
Democracy icon Suu Kyi meets Myanmar youths
China delays NSN's $1.2 billion buy of Motorola unit
|
Chongqing makes China's happiest list
Leading Spider-Man actress quits show: report
|
National Film Registry names 25 films to preservation list
|
Javier Bardem faced down acting demons in Biutiful
|
US-TECH Summary
China delays NSN's $1.2 billion buy of Motorola unit
S.Korean court rules anti-rumour law unconstitutional
Artificial intelligence to transform web: Russian tycoon
Suicide bombers hit police compound in Iraq's Mosul
Scuffles in Moscow airports amid delays
Shredding bad bits of 2010 is best revenge
WikiLeaks, a Napster-style Internet gamechanger for 2010
700 NATO soldiers killed in 2010; new firefights
More talks needed in Ivory Coast crisis: ECOWAS envoys
|
World's oldest human remains claimed in Israel
Clooney, Google, U.N. watch Sudan using satellites
Changes in video games prompt optimism for 2011
West African deliver ultimatum to Ivory Coast's Gbagbo
Gilt Groupe plans new round of financing: CEO
Hitachi to review ops at certain units: report
S.Korea's Lee says talks the answer to nuclear crisis
|
Foreign troops death toll in Afghanistan at 700
Apple sued over apps privacy issues; Google may be next
Official: Afghan police defuse motorcycle bomb
Suicide bombers hit police compound in Iraq's Mosul
|
Cuba commutes death sentence of rebel exile
|
Arts & Letters Daily founder Denis Dutton dies
Clooney, Google, U.N. watch Sudan using satellites
|
German Jews mustn't just criticize: Council head
|
Reese Witherspoon engaged to Hollywood agent
Man with bullet parts arrested at Miami airport
Global Weather-Celsius
U.S. Northeast digs out after storm snarls travel
Changes in video games prompt optimism for 2011
|
Royal wedding bells to chime in 2011
Clooney, Google, U.N. watch Sudan using satellites
|
Three Oscar contenders set to open Wednesday
Rare earths shares jump after China quota cut
|
Bon Jovi and AC/DC top concert draws in 2010
Gilt Groupe plans new round of financing: CEO
|
Seoul shares up 0.5 pct on brokerages, telcos
'Empire Strikes Back', 'Exorcist' named US cultural icons
S.Korea to cut FX derivatives limits in Jan-source
Reese Witherspoon engaged to Hollywood agent
Foreign investment in S.Korea at 10-year high
Final "Harry Potter" is most anticipated film
Sony to launch PlayStation smartphone in spring
Arts & Letters Daily founder Denis Dutton dies
Elton John and partner become parents
Paypal to help set up e-commerce hub in China mega-city
National Film Registry names 25 films to preservation list
China in 2010: politically isolated economic power
Taiwan central bank checks commercial banks' NDF ops
Korea Hot Stocks-High-dividend issues fall ex-div
Seoul shares down amid ex-dividend, Shinsegae up
Arts & Letters Daily founder Denis Dutton dies
Bon Jovi and AC/DC top concert draws in 2010
|
Reese Witherspoon engaged to Hollywood agent
|
Final Harry Potter is most anticipated film: poll
|
Three Oscar contenders set to open Wednesday
|
Suicide bombers kill four in Iraq police station
Russia races to deliver Khodorkovsky sentence
Five held for planning attack on Danish paper
|
Two explosions outside Italy's Northern League office
Medvedev fires space chiefs after satellite failure
Syria encouraged anti-cartoon protest: U.S. cables
|
80's TV Icon "ALF" Under Fire For Dropping N-Bomb In Newly Surfaced Blooper Reel
Putin praises nuclear arms treaty with U.S.
|
Sandra Bullock Voted #1, Palins Beat Out Obamas As Most Desired Celebrity Neighbor
Twelve presumed dead in Russia military jet crash
France marks anniversary of reporters' abduction
Richard Chamberlain Advises Other Gay Actors Not To Come Out
NATO trucks attacked in Pakistan, driver killed
False alarm over package at U.S. embassy to Vatican
|
Natalie Portman Engaged, Pregnant With First Child
Alanis Morissette Gives Birth To Baby Boy On Christmas
West has 3 years to rein in Iran
Palestinians seek more than a Facebook state: PM
|
Review: "Michael Jackson The Experience" Game A Thriller For Fans
US troops clash with Taliban in east Afghanistan
Afghan soldier killed in suicide attack
Islamist sect kills 3 in fresh Nigeria attack
|
Indonesian extremist in court on terror charges
India win Durban Test to set up series decider
"Science sense" list trashes celebrity health tips
India close in on victory against S.Africa
COMMENTARY: English adopts more Chinese phrases
Facebook founder 'spotted in Bangkok pub'
Microsoft co-founder relaunches tech patent suit
|
Vietnam 2010 growth fastest in three years
H1N1 flu could return to Taiwan next month: experts
Japan manga firms plan rival fair after porn ban
Pakistani stocks up as banks post gains; rupee eases
Groupon files to raise up to $950 million
|
YEAR-END SPECIAL: Thai ruling coalition called 'Emergency Exit Govt'
Asia stocks rise as China rate hike jitters fade
SEC probes trading in private Internet firms: reports
|
Indian police investigate Citibank staff 'fraud'
China says Communist Party alone can fight graft
SAP must pay Oracle some interest on $1.3 billion verdict
|
Alcatel-Lucent pays US fine on bribery charges
South Korea's Lee says talks the answer to nuclear crisis
Seoul shares up 0.5 pct on brokerages, telcos
England crush Australia to retain Ashes
Barnes & Noble fails to end Nook lawsuit
|
Pakistan to announce results of T-bills on Wednesday
Texas officer, 2 others found dead after domestic violence call
Traveling to Kenya, paternal home of President Obama? U.S. warns you!
iPhone Smackdown: Senior Citizen punches teen for refusing to turn off iPhone during landing
Salmonella outbreak hits DC, 16 states
Report: 157 U.S. banks failed in 2010
Oklahoma man says wife's death a sex game accident
Kidney disease patients better off on vegetarian diet
Kidney disease patients better off o vegetarian diet
80's TV Icon "ALF" Under Fire For Dropping N-Bomb In Newly Surfaced Blooper Reel
Science sense list trashes celebrity health tips
|
Porn Film boss wants to save octomom from foreclosure
Skiers fall from derailed ski lift, hundreds left hanging
Mother surrenders hours old newborn baby to CA firefighters
High speed car chase ends near Obamas Honolulu vacation spot
Student caught using marker arrested by teacher
WikiLeaks iPhone app taken down from iTunes Apple store
Priceless Spanish stolen artwork recovered from scrap dealer
College diploma comes to 89-year-old widow
Pedophilia guidebook's author arrested for obscenity
Emirates Palace Hotel issues apology after unveiling $11 million dollar bejeweled Christmas tree
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights