A Company Review of Bluefly

Information About Bluefly

Bluefly, Inc. is an online retail and accessories company that offers a variety of high-end designer brands at greatly discounted prices. The company offers more than 50,000 styles for sale each year. The categories of items offered include men's apparel, women's apparel, and accessories. Kids' products are also available, which allows parents to purchase needed items at the same place. Items are available for up to 75% off of their retail value, which is great for those who love to own the finest apparel and accessories.

The Bluefly.com website was launched in September of 1998. It was one of the first companies to sell apparel online in a manner appealing to the most sophisticated customers. Kein Siff and six others founded the company and built it within months of its conception. The company is incorporated in Delaware, and its executive offices are located in New York. Partnerships the company made in the early years with AOL and MSN helped the company become the largest site offering fashion-related items at a discount. They also offer a large range of Bluefly coupons for even more savings.

Bluefly's Business Strategy

Bluefly's strategy involves offering designer brands and current fashion trends at great values. The company sells the same type of merchandise that is sold in luxury stores at much higher costs. The selection and presentation of merchandise is better than what is offered at discount stores or malls. Products are added frequently, which gives consumers a reason to visit the site often. Loyal customers love to see which new items have been added since the last time they visited.

The company uses the Internet as the primary way to support their business strategy. The Internet is used to communicate with customers. Direct marketing principles are also used to optimize sales. Loyal customers are offered early access to new products and receive exclusive offers.

The company can update their product selection when needed without having to worry about printing catalogs. This is an advantage they have over businesses that offer products only through catalogs. Their website offers personalized shopping opportunities that allow customers to search for products that they want and need. Suppliers are able to liquidate their end-of-season items and overstock merchandise in a way that does not hurt their brands.

Personal Shoppers at Bluefly

Personal shoppers are available at Bluefly to help customers. This is something that sets them apart from other companies. Potential customers can chat with a personal shopper without a charge. They are available Monday through Friday. Orders made can be shipped to more than 29 countries in the world, including Hong Kong, Panama, United Arab Emirates, United States, and Canada.

Product Merchandising
The company gets products directly from designers and from other indirect sources. The items that celebrities wear play a part in the items the company makes available to consumers. Bluefly.com offers products from more than 300 designers. They have great vendor relationships due to the amount of resources they have used to establish the website as a high-end environment.

Bluefly ensures that their items are displayed in a manner that is attractive. Product information is easy to understand. The company gives great customer service and makes sure all of their business dealings are channeled toward making the company better for designers and customers.

Fulfillment Of Orders

Orders are transmitted to a warehouse and fulfillment center after they are placed. Items are picked and shipped directly to the customer who ordered them. This type of arrangement ensures that orders are packed correctly. Inventory is updated on a real-time basis. Therefore, only items that are truly available are shown. This is a real convenience for shoppers who do not want to have to worry about placing an order and then finding out that items they wanted are not available. Most orders are shipped out within one business day, even during peak times of the year. Many companies are not able to do this at any time of the year.

Bluefly Customer Service
Customer service is available via e-mail, chat, and telephone. Representatives are available every day of the week. Returns are generally allowed for any reason within 60 days of purchase. This is a very generous return policy. Customers do not have to worry about what to do with items that did not fit or were not exactly what they expected. A help center is available on the website, and it answers a lot of questions that customers may have when they are interested in placing an order.

Competition
The online apparel market is growing quickly. Competition in the field comes from store-based retailers who are expanding to the Internet, well-established Internet-based companies, and new Internet companies. Designer brands that sell directly to the public online are also competitors. Bluefly believes merchandise selection, price, web site features, and delivery performance will allow them to excel in the industry.

The apparel and e-commerce markets are cyclical in nature. Unfavorable conditions in the economy have had a big impact on retailers. Declines cause consumers to spend less on nonessential items. This can affect Bluefly's sales and cash flow. Improvements in the economy could hamper the company's ability to acquire the needed amount of inventory.

Reasons To Visit Bluefly.com

Bluefly.com is a great website where people who are into fashion or those who want to gain more fashion knowledge can go to see designs from the hottest designers. The selection of products available is vast, and the customer service offered is second to none. The website is designed to allow visitors to find what they are looking for quickly. The website is clean and attractive. Inventory is updated on a regular basis. Repeat customers can receive special promotions, which allow them to save money on their future orders. Some of the designers featured on the site include Cole Haan, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Prada, and Christian Louboutin. It is virtually impossible to find items from so many high-end designers for sale on the same website. Prices are discounted heavily, which allows consumers to spend less money on the designers they love.