By introducing eight regionalized Web sites for its international customer base, this company has become an innovative e-commerce leader. When Dov Charney founded American Apparel in 1997, he concentrated exclusively on growing the business through a wholesale platform. Since going public in 2007, the organization has proven to be a top competitor in the direct-to-consumer market as well.
By paying attention to what customers want and making adjustments to its processes, this high-end gift company differentiates itself in the market. Craig Bowen and his wife Esther Diez founded GiftTree.com in 1997 with the idea of providing a simple gift service. Using Bowen’s marketing and software background, they set out to remind people about holidays, birthdays, or other special events using software that also sent suggestions to direct shoppers toward certain products.
This e-commerce provider maintains a flexible and entrepreneurial atmosphere, enabling its clients to stay at the fore of consumer minds. Despite fewer shopaholics hitting the malls these days, many of the brands eFashionSolutions work with, including Apple Bottoms, created by hip-hop icon Nelly; Beyonce’s Dereon line; and juniors’ fashion label Mandee; continue to see double-digit increases in brand recognition.
This online discount and brand-name fragrance company stays at the top of its customers’ minds by continuing to improve their online experience. This online discount and brand-name fragrance company stays at the top of its customers’ minds by continuing to improve their online experience. In the old days, people traveled to the mall to find their favorite fragrance. And although people still visit the fragrance counters of major department stores, they’re making their purchases elsewhere. According to Scentiments.com President Howard Wyner, many of those people are purchasing on his site.
The secrets to this online retailer’s success may be simple, but they helped it grow tremendously in the face of robust competition. Bob Herman of Rochester, Minn. wouldn’t be in business for himself today if he had given up after failing in the early days of online commerce. But Herman wasn’t cowed when the Web-based computer sales business that he’d developed in his basement folded two years after its launch in 1998. Instead, he got back in the saddle with a new enterprise that’s enjoyed steady growth since inception.
