As part of his continuing effort to jawbone the Liberty Interactive stock up a few ticks, QVC CEO Mike George sat down with Bloomberg News last week to talk about $8 Billion-a-year business in a five-minute video segment here. Mr. George said that he expects web sales to increase to half of total sales by 2014, but expects video — whether accessed on TV or via the web — to remain a key selling tool for the company. Opening package of the video includes short interviews with Isaac Mizrahi and Lori Greiner.
While promoting her new, QVC Wildlife Jewelry Line in Los Angeles yesterday, supermodel Heidi Klum told RadarOnline that she thinks the branding suits her because she leads a “wild” and “exciting” life. She also revealed that the Eureka moment came while she was performing one of the most mundane chores in a jet setter’s life — reviewing entry requirements and customs forms prior to landing on an international flight:
I was on the plane and I was coming from overseas and I was thinking about names and I couldn’t come up with anything and I was reading the form when you come into the country, fruit, wildlife and it really popped out from that page. And then I thought it is also a double word, it is like having a wild life.
Ms. Klum makes a habit of designing her fashion pieces, which are priced from $43 to $200, on Saturday mornings, before joining her children for karate and ballet. RadarOnline Nov. 21, 2011
Digital gifting and incentives company CashStar this morning announced that QVC selected its platform to handle QVC’s new eGift Card program, which will enable consumers to purchase and send personalized eGift Cards that can be redeemed for QVC or QVC.com purchases.
In the announcement, CashStar Co-founder and CEO David Stone writes, “Along with providing the most personal, compelling and convenient gifting experience, our platform will enable QVC to increase customer engagement and drive sales.” Alex Miller, QVC’s vice president of eCommerce and eMarketing, offers this quote, “We take great pride in providing our customers with … an exceptional shopping experience. [They] will appreciate an eGift Card offering that allows them to control the entire gift-giving experience.” And the CashStar platform certainly promises to do that. It will allow purchasers to, “…choose from multiple card designs or upload their own photo, select the gift card denomination, create a personalized greeting, and select a delivery time — instantly or at a later date.” Perhaps most important, the cards feature no service fees or expiration dates — although nothing will prevent them from sitting idly in dresser drawers for years or decades. CashStar Press Release Nov. 22, 2011
QVC has once again been recognized as one a Top Ten company in terms of customer service, as selected by shoppers in the seventh annual NRF Foundation/American Express® Customers’ Choice survey. The survey, which asked 9,374 shoppers which retailer provides the best customer service, was conducted by BIGresearch and commissioned by the NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation. The complete list of recognized retailers, across multiple channels and formats (listed in alphabetical order) is: Amazon.com, JCPenney, Kohl’s Department Stores, Lands’ End, L.L.Bean, Newegg, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, QVC and Zappos. The official ranking of each retailer in the top ten will be unveiled at NRF’s Annual Retail Industry Luncheon on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, during NRF’s 101st Annual Convention and EXPO. The complete list of 46 retailers that shoppers selected as having the best customer service will also be released at that time. National Retail Federation Press Release Nov. 18, 2011
Vayama.com, the online travel agency that specializes in discounted international travel, today announced that it is teaming up with QVC and Dell Inc. to provide an Italian vacation getaway to the winner of “The Ultimate Foodie Getaway Sweepstakes.” The grand prize will include two round trip tickets to Italy and hotel accommodations along with “foodie” activities, which will presumably include at least some meals. In addition to the Italian vacation, Dell™ will provide the Grand Prize winner with a 17″ Dell Laptop. Four First Prize winners will receive the Dell laptop and a $200 Vayama Travel Voucher to be used towards Alitalia Airlines travel during 2012. QVC fans can enter the contest at https://www.facebook.com/DavidVenableQVC
Vayama Press Release Nov. 18, 2011
In a press release today, Wales-based jewelry maker Clogau Gold celebrates its growing business with QVC in the U.S. Clogau products were sold on QVC’s TV network in the spring and the company is readying product for QVC’s website ahead of the Holidays. Clogau’s head of global sales, David Butler, suggests in the news release that his company now has “…a platform to build a successful business partnership [with QVC].” Clogau (whose products contain “a touch of rare Welsh gold”) also anticipates greater consumer interest in 2012 due to Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.” Clogau Gold Press Release Nov. 16, 2011
Jim Huffstetler (courtesy of LinkedIn Profile)
Reached for comment this week after touting the sale of 50,000 units on QVC in a press release, Zero Odor founder Jim Huffstetler described his company’s business with the number one shopping network as a return to its direct response TV roots. When Zero Odor (specializing in odor elimination without the use of heavy perfumes) got off the ground six years ago, two-minute, voiceover-and-testimonial infomercials were a critical sales channel. At the time, they were placed on cable stations nationwide. During 28 appearances on QVC in the past year, Huffstetler has marveled at the efficiency and professionalism of the TV-selling juggernaut. He describes the QVC segment of Zero Odor’s business as “meaningful” and looks forward to continuing the association.
In addition to its TV-selling stints, Zero Odor distributes its products through retail chains, including Bed, Bath & Beyond and True Value hardware stores.
QVC will make Black Friday, November 25th, and Cyber Monday, November 28th, bookends of a four-day sales event themed “The Joy Of Giving Weekend.” On the first day of the event, the retailer will also celebrate its 25th Anniversary, and call it a “Better than Black Friday” event for good measure. Here is what QVC promises:
“The Joy of Giving Weekend” will feature QVC’s largest selection of special “event prices” on thousands of products that are in stock. This extended assortment allows customers to easily find great values – and is not limited to early bird shoppers, who quickly deplete limited Black Friday deals at traditional retail stores. Free standard shipping and handling will also be offered during Cyber Monday on the most ever gift items.
The event will also mark the debut of two new interactive tools to aid in shopping for gifts. QVC.com’s Gift Finder, powered by Gifts.com, will help shoppers find “a personalized assortment of items to fit every taste.” (Actually, the service accepts a few inputs like gender, age, hobbies and interests, and then spits out a list of products likely to appeal to that demographic/psycho-graphic profile.) QVC will also roll out a new Gift List application for the iPhone® that will enable customers to create, edit, and save personalized gift lists for friends and family. The mobile app will also allow users to set up reminders for gift-giving occasions all year round and share their wish list items with family and friends. QVC, Inc. Press Release Nov. 14, 2011
