Flash shopping sites or private sales boutique sites have really taken off lately. Most flash shopping sites offer some time of limited-time, curated shopping experience and are member only, though most invitation-only memberships involve simply asking for an invitation. Most offer designer brands at discounted prices that you won't see anywhere else. Sales range from Womens Wear, Mens Wear, Home Furnishing, Kids Clothing, Travel Deals, and even Gourmet Food.
We've tried to list some of the biggers ones here along with how they describe themselves and where they fit in the online commerce space. Many of the flash shopping sites will offer you a free membership if you follow the links at the bottom of the page:
Rue La La
Rue La La is the invitation-only destination for a life of style. Where Members delight in discovering private sale Boutiques that open daily – and stay open only for a short time. A community where Members shape the experience – and enhance the excitement – by inviting their friends. RueLaLa is a place where they discover some of the most sought-after brands in fashion, accessories, footwear, home, travel, wine, gourmet food, local services, and more.
Gilt
Gilt Groupe's member only shopping provides instant insider access to today’s top designer labels, at up to 60% off retail. Become a member and find something new every day for women, men, kids and home as well as exclusive local services and experiences, and one-of-a-kind travel packages.
All sales take place only on www.gilt.com and our full collection of merchandise is always available at the start of the sale, so be sure to log on early.
To introduce each brand, designer bios and reels give you an advanced preview of upcoming sales, must-have pieces and featured designers.
Gilt Group includes Gilt.com, with sales for Women, Men, Baby & Kids, Home; Gilt City; Gilt Taste; and Jetsetter.
Gilt Taste is an online magazine and market for food and wine lovers. Gilt Taste publishes original, daily stories—including recipes, videos, food news and opinions from artisans, experts, chefs and the Taste editors—and handpicks every item offered.
Gilt City is the key that unlocks the very best your city has to offer. Our local curators have combed through hundreds of neighborhoods and countless local businesses and activities to bring our members the most compelling offerings in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Each sale lasts a week or until sold out and features the most sought-after restaurants, top spas, luxury salons, exclusive events, in-demand shows and concerts, and much more, from over 4,500 partners.
Jetsetter is a community of travelers that provides members with insider access, expert knowledge and exclusive deals on the world's greatest vacations. Jetsetter always offers a selection of hotels, homes and tours at up to 50 percent off the usual price. These deals are for a limited time of between seven and ten days only.
Beyond The Rack
Beyond the Rack is a private shopping club for women and men who want designer brand apparel and accessories at prices up to 80% off retail. We obtain authentic designer merchandise and provide it exclusively to our members through limited-time events. Each event starts at a specific time and typically lasts only 48 hours. After each event ends the merchandise is no longer available. Due to the exclusive nature of the merchandise in our events, quantities are often limited and certain styles may only be available in a narrow range of sizes. Members are notified by email in advance of each upcoming event according to their preferences. Sales include Women, Men, Kids & Babies, and Home.
- You can be invited by a friend who is already a member
- You can get a special invitation from one of BTR's marketing partners
- You can request a membership
HauteLook
HauteLook is where you will discover thousands of the top fashion and lifestyle brands at amazing savings. Each day at 8 AM Pacific, shop new sale events featuring the best names in women's and men's fashion and accessories, beauty, kids' apparel and toys, and home décor at up to 75% off. Membership is free and everyone is welcome!
MyHabit
MyHabit is a private fashion sale site offering up to 60% off hand-picked selections from designer and boutique brands. Founded by Amazon.com, MYHABIT sets a new standard in convenience, offering free, instant membership; fast, free shipping on U.S. orders and free return shipping in the U.S., as well as fast $25 international shipping to 50+ countries. The site also offers shoppers a complete fashion experience including 360-video shot on models, lavish photography and editorial segments.
Most of events start daily at 9 AM PT/ 12 PM ET and last 72 hours. Categories include women’s, men’s, and children’s fashion and accessories, as well as home, toys, books and beauty products.
Ideeli
Ideeli offers "Limited-time sales that feature incredible brands at exceptional prices."
Every day at 12 Noon EST, more than a dozen new sales showcase fashion for men, women and children, home décor and travel, offering the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of a deal.
Launched in June 2007, ideeli is one of the fastest growing retailers in the U.S. With more than 5 million members and more than 1,000 brand partners, ideeli has pioneered a new way to shop.
Vente-privee
Vente-privee is a joint venture between subsidiaries of American Express and vente-privee.com, the pioneer and global leader in online private sales. Vente-privee draws on the strengths of two trusted companies to deliver quality brands and services at up to 70% off retail. We create beautiful online designer sales events delivered to our members every day.
Beginning in 2001, vente-privee.com pioneered a new concept for brands which combined exclusivity with a time-limited event. From this, the online private sale was born.
Today, vente-privee.com organizes daily brand sales events featuring more than 1,200 major international brands - from product categories spanning fashion and homewares to sporting goods and electronics - for more than 13 million European members across 7 countries. vente-privee marks the first overseas market entry for vente-privee.com.
The Foundry
the Foundry offers a highly visible stage for established and emerging designers to spotlight the products they're most proud of. Even if that means letting a limited number of their creations go at prices lower than they originally intended, our sellers are often willing to do so. Ultimately, this means sharing their passion for creation with a wider audience - a notion that captures the spirit of artisanship.
While ordinary has its pragmatic place, it's not what you'll find at the Foundary. What you will find are products that inspire, share a story, and define a point of view. You'll even find the voice of our buyers in every event, revealing how and why a particular collection or designer inspired them to share that story with you.
Then there's this whole other twist. We don't just bring you a daily shot of home essentials from established and emerging designers, we bring them to you at unprecedented savings. Up to 70% off retail. We do this to achieve our stated goal: to bring a higher quality of life within reach.
Editor's Closet
Editors Closet is an invitation only private sale website offering exclusive limited time savings on men's, women's and children's fashion and luxury brands. In addition to incredible savings on luxury brands, exclusive member benefits include free shipping, same day shipping on all orders placed before 2:00 pm EST, the Editors Closet Authenticity Guarantee on all purchases, and an easy 14 day return policy. Editors Closet offers the finest brands and designer collections of jewelry, watches and apparel, at the lowest prices. At Editors Closet we are confident that you will not find the same items at lower prices anywhere
Editors Closet Events run for a limited time, anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, with limited quantities on all merchandise, we encourage our members to log in early, because once the sales are gone, they are really gone.
Private Sale Invite Links (click for invite):
Gilt Invitation
Rue La La Invitation
MyHabit Invitation
Haute Look Invitation
Vente Prive Invitation
Ideeli Invitation
Beyond the Rack Invitation
Some other great sites with daily deals: steepandcheap.com, www.backcountry.com, amazon.com, www.6pm.com, half.com, hotels.com and also home of the gnome travel.travelocity.com