Stylehopper managing directors Bart Lipski and Safura Rahimi, are photographed working in their east end Toronto office, April 29, 2011.
Before starting her latest venture, Dealuxe, Joanna Track made a name for herself building the Canadian lifestyle site Sweetspot, which Rogers Media acquired last year.
Many national retailers have yet to jump on the e-commerce bandwagon, Ms. Track noted, creating an opportunity to build an online destination for contemporary, mid- to high-level designer clothing. Dealuxe carries 40 brands, with items priced between $40 and $700.
"The traditional retailers may not understand the Internet or the benefits as much," she explained. "Sometimes the big companies get complacent; this will disrupt that."
The flash-fashion site niche is certainly attracting investor attention:
- Montreal-based Beyond the Rack received a $12-million (U.S.) financing commitment last July from Highland Capital Partners LLC and BDC Venture Capital Inc.
- U.S. retailer Nordstrom purchased HauteLook for $180-million in stock this past February.
- Gilt Groupe, based in New York and the industry leader of the pack, is valued at nearly $500-million (U.S.). According to The New York Times, it is considering going public next year.
Amy Verner