Exciting e-commerce fusion in the US: For $350 million, GSI Commerce has taken over Retail Convergence, the operator of private shopping club Ruelala (approx. $100 million revenues) and the bargain shop Smartbargains (approx. $60 million revenues). GSI Commerce is a full service e-commerce provider serving large (fashion) brands.

Besides the detailed press release, Internetretailer has a written up a good background article.

We at Exciting Commerce commented recently on the changes occurring in the fashion industry, which is again underlined by this particular deal:

GCI Commerce, which is making its way to Europe, is expanding its service offering for branded manufacturers and can now start offering targeted clearance sales.

P.S. Naturally, we are at Optaros very proud that we develop Ruelala as one of the first American private shopping clubs for Retail Convergence/SmartBargains – and are able to kit them out with a full set of sales supporting elements.

Related posts:

• Three US Online Shopping Clubs Want To Exceed $100 Million
• The Shop Exchange: $40 Million for US Shopping Club Gilt Groupe
• Onestop Internet Nabs $13 Million for Billion Dollar Babes (Club)

Originally posted in German by Jochen Krisch, adapted for excitingcommerce.com by Jason Soo.