Gilt Groupe is the largest Internet business based in NYC and has maintained popularity by focusing on luxury brands at discounted prices. Late this summer (2011) they are hoping to become a high-end answer to Amazon.
Gilt Groupe also runs a division called JETSETTER featuring an ever changing collection of exclusive deals on the world’s greatest vacations, and recently expanded to include full-price goods with Gilt TASTE, a gourmet food and wine shop. Next up, they will soon launch a mens full-price clothing line. Their newest men’s site, PARK & BOND, will partner with Conde Nast’s GQ magazine on an e-commerce strategy. Park & Bond will host an online store with merchandise picked by GQ editors and GQ will promote the venture in its pages and on GQ.com.
“This is a natural partnership for us, and a great way for us to get our feet wet in the world of e-commerce, but in the end what matters is that it serves our readers,” commented GQ‘s editor-in-chief Jim Nelson. “Our readers have always shopped from our pages. We’re just making it easier for them.”
John Auerbach, the new president of PARK & BOND, added, “PARK & BOND will be the ultimate resource for men’s retail, and who better to join forces with than GQ, the indisputable authority on men’s style for the past 50 years. We’re absolutely thrilled about working together and feel that it’s a huge vote of confidence that GQ has decided to take their first step into the e-commerce space with us.”
PARK & BOND, www.parkandbond.com, will be a trusted resource for the male consumer—both for the world’s best clothing, accessories, and lifestyle product, and also for advice on how men can incorporate those items into their daily life with confidence and style. The name, which was developed in house at Gilt, evokes two of Manhattan’s most stylish streets, Park Avenue and Bond Street. One is classic and timeless, the other contemporary and hip. Together they encapsulate the personality of the site—and how the modern American man should dress.
With approximately 80 brands at launch, PARK & BOND will outfit the luxury customer with a mix of fashion and wardrobe staples that every man needs—and that is not currently offered in one place. Among the highly curated selection of brands launching with the site are Alexander McQueen, Isaia, Etro, Paul Smith, N. Hoolywood, A.P.C., Neil Barrett, Thomas Pink, Todd Snyder, Vince, Theory, Common Projects, Brooks Brothers, and Florsheim by Duckie Brown. “Today’s man does not dress in one brand from head to toe. He picks his favorite pieces and assembles a look that represents him—PARK & BOND will encourage and enable customers to easily do just that,” said Brooke Cundiff, who is in charge of merchandising for the new site.
And unlike the Gilt MAN flash-sales mode, merchandise on PARK & BOND will live according to seasonality, enabling consumers to shop any brand at any time.
About Gilt Groupe, Inc.
Gilt Groupe, www.gilt.com, is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences every day, many at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands, including fashion for women, men, and children, home decor, hotels and travel experiences on every continent, and unique activities in a growing list of cities and destinations. We believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.
