"Nobody knows the wholesale business in Europe better than we do,"

| View | Upload your own

Since 2001, VENTES PRIVEES.COM is the number 1 website of event sales in France. With nearly 4 million members and a two digit growth rate, Vente-Privee.Com is accelerating the pace of its development.

Their sales concept of top label goods in the fields of beauty, fashion, and home equipment is based on the experience of his CEO and owner Jacques Antoine Granjon.
Because he "built up strong relationships with brands during the many years they bought overstock products in the off-line world", he can now be proud enough to say that he masters the wholesale business as nobody else does it in Europe.
Even in America , Vente-privee .com is becoming a business model.

Because Summit Partners, has recently invested money to get 20% of Vente-privee.com, the company is now definitely the leader on the market and is now ready to expand worldwise especially into Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.The US might be the next step forward.


THE 6 SUCCESS RULES of VENTE-PRIVEE.COM

1 / Be creative to become and event producer

VENTES PRIVEES.COM has successfully persuaded luxury brands that it can create an aspirational presentation of goods online. Recently, the business model expanded into near-luxury and other non-luxury prestige brands.

"Items for sale include luxury apparel and accessories, wine and Champagne, household linens, baby clothes, and small household appliances.

Each of their sales is designed as a unique event for their members, bringing together each day 600 employees.
In order to keep the mystery of this luxury atmosphere , Vente-Privee works exactly like an event agency to organize each sale as a unique event.470 events are organized per year, soon 700, VP.com, VP.com produce in 2 days the equivalent number of picture that a La Redoute catalog. Each studio shoot needs models , 4 musicians and graphists , an average of 40 people work as a team to prepare each event

2/ Be exclusive to keep your suppliers

More than for the customer the promotion done around each sales is to make sure that the brand atmosphere is respected .It is a way of retaining them, a kind of guarantee for service quality.
Part of what sets the startup apart is its unique approach to merchandising. Instead of showing grainy pictures of unsold blouses or handbags, Vente-privee.com puts together slick promotional shots and videos featuring fashion models and original music that add lustre to the merchandise.
The campaigns—approved by the brands—help boost sales while making the online shopping experience more pleasant than a real-world sample sale. Deeply discounted prices are mentioned, of course, but there’s nothing about the Web site reminiscent of a bargain basement.

The formula already has attracted more than 600 brands to Vente-privee.com, including Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, Cacharel, and Armani Casa. Now they’re being joined by mass-market sellers such as Adidas, Swatch, Mattel, and Electrolux. The lure? More control over brand image, thanks to Vente-privee.com’s exclusive merchandising programs, and twice the margins earned via more traditional closeout sales." — (BUSINESSWEEK)

3 /Be fair and selective with your customers

To be part of Vente-privee com you have to be a member and become one you must be introduced by an existing customer, or must know and email address of one.
It creates a kind of community with specific rights, which could be seen as a reward.
So being awake at 7 am to be the first one buy the last season Vuitton bag or coat becomes a privilege instead of a pain.as you are as well informed by mail of what is going on in vente-privee world.com, you feel secure and “in the know” which is , especially for women is quite flattering.

4 / Be good with price to seduce suppliers, investors and customers

All are sold, while they last, at fixed prices 50% to 70% below retail. With revenues last year of roughly a half-billion dollars, up 40% from 2006, privately held Vente-privee.com is becoming a force in distribution and is starting to be copied around the world. Vente-privee.com has provokedg an unusual amount of attention on the other side of the Atlantic. "This is the first time in recent memory that American companies are copying an Internet economic model that was first created in Europe," says Philippe Collombel, a Paris-based partner at venture capital firm Partech International, which is not an investor in Vente-privee.com.

On the other hand customers are happy to pay so cheaply any branded item.30 000 orders per year for 300 millions euros is quite a good bargain.

In 2007 Jacques-Antoine Granjon, Vente-Privee.com's owner, has confirmed that Summit Partners has bought 20% of Vente-Privee.com capital,which could have been for 160 millions euros. The company would be now worth 800 millions euros .

5 / Be social to keep your staff happy to work for you

Offering free drinks to your staff, chosing a great HR to deal with the staff, is a way to keep up the start-up atmosphere of this young and dynamic company. But in order to reinforce the company position on the market trainings are now provided to help the associates to progress and to keep the staff in the company. Senior positions are now required to help the company to expand quickly and efficiently.


6/ Be prepared to invest and to grow up and to become better

With 80 000 sqare meter of wahrehouse.Vente-privee.com is ready to organised its European development. Investment in logistics will allow as well a quicker delivery time.

Following these rules Vente privee.com is now the leader on the sales market. Loads of competitors try now to fight with it. Vente privee.com is still quite far ahead but for how long?

http://news.agendainc.com/category/retail/ Strategy of ventes privees

Neesweek article
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jan2008/gb20080111_222659_page_2.htm