Vente-privee.com is an online flash sales retailer in France that works directly with designer brands. It sends emails to registered members announcing limited-time sales events, typically lasting 2-4 days, where fashion, accessories, electronics and other products are discounted 40-70% off. It solves problems for both customers by offering exclusive access to sales, and brands by providing extra revenues, visibility and marketing services.

1. www.vente-privee.com

2. A short description Online retailing business An event-based concept Working directly with designer brands Including a selection of diverse products: (brand shoes, fashion accessories, prêt à porter, men’s suits, tools, watches, handbags, children’s clothes, wines, jewelleries, electronics, etc). Available in French market as well as in Spain, Germany, Italy, and the U.K.

3. How it works To publicize an event, vente-privee.com sends an email to each registered member two days before it begins. The registration is free (no obligation to buy) Sales generally start at 6 am or 8 am and last for 2 to 4 days Purchases can only be made online in a secure environment When items are sold, they are packed, labelled and delivered to the participating members (3 to 6 weeks of delivery) Members can cancel their orders or return items depending on the conditions applied on the event.

4. Revenues Sources Percentage on the sales Commissions Subscription and affiliation fees (from the brand owners) Advertising (Rozebuzz a VP online magazine)

5. The ultimate revenue source > Vente-privee.com provides privileged and exclusive services to its partner brands and offers a complete marketing service: Provides a marketing study analyzing VP partner performances Produces reports for them based on specific figures Proposes innovative designing concepts to their brands Participates in regular monitoring of sales and brands’ needs and expectations. Elaborates a marketing watch in the country concerned.

6. VP starts innovating in order to create a customer data platform by including several applications. This variety of functions allow VP to meet the customers needs on time and let them be informed about the coming events: Vpbubble (that can be downloaded on the customer’s computer) , VPcado (chèque-cadeau) Phone applications, etc

7. Problems solved for cutomers Accessibility to luxury and brand designers items Interesting and competitive prices (40%, 50% and up to 70% off) Fast and efficient purchase Transportation service Easy order and secure payment service Diversity of products

8. Problems solved to suppliers A high visibility of their products Extra revenues A quick and efficient selling operation of their stock Accessibility to new customers They can also benefit from additional services: a complete marketing service, analysis of their performance by the vp team.

9. A press release on VP Summary : Vente-privee, France’s leading online shopping club, has not been negatively influenced by the actual crisis. In 2009, they have generated a record of 2500 sales, 1200 brand partners, 33 millions of products and 7,5 millions of visitors every month. Thanks to their unique concept that consists of proposing a discount offer that is inferior to the demand and limited in time (2 days maximum). It is a distinct method to sell off the whole stock in a minimum of time; the inventory is then moving quickly. Link: http://www.lexpansion.com/economie/actualite-high-tech/vente-privee-com-devoile-les-chiffres-de-sa-reussite_226283.html

10. VP’s main competitors www.ruelala.com www.koodos.com www.privateoutlet.fr www.secretsales.com www.ideeli.com www.buyvip.com

11. Apply Vp’s concept on the cosmetics and perfume industry www.sephora.fr To organize events to sell perfums and cosmetics in reduced and competing prices To offer a diversified offer Refining product lines to make them easier to sell online Reduce money, costs and time to customers To sell off the stocks To propose Quick & efficient sales operations To make brand products accessible to new customers