The latest private sale site to join the online sample sale party (already chock-a-block with Gilt, Rue La La, Daily Candy's Swirl, etc.), RowNine.com plans to make its stamp by sticking to over-the-top luxury accessories.
Much like the competition, RowNine's sales open at noon and run for a limited period of time (though instead of sales, they're rather cleverly called "boutiques"). However, while online sale sites like Gilt have started to extend their reach into midprice labels with Gilt Fuse (and as far as we can tell, DailyCandy's Swirl will likely target a similar price range), RowNine plans to stick to the bling. Specifically, seriously high-end accessories.
As CEO Lawrence Kosick described it, RowNine is "a totally new online private sale experience designed specifically for luxury consumers that are looking for great brands and great values."
Granted, we were initially skeptical that the recession-beleguered world at large could handle shopping for thousand-dollar watches, Kosick pointed out that in the two weeks that the site has been in beta, it's already sold a $50,000 watch to someone who even took advantage of the option to get advice a "concierge expert consultant" (a feature of the site).
In fact, one of the boutiques open right now features glittery Dior watches, with several thousand-dollar styles sold out. (Versace sunglasses are also available right now.) So maybe people really are buying.
