Most people are familiar with Zappos as the ultimate online shoe source. They have been selling shoes online for as long as I remember and with great customer service and a
highly respectable corporate culture have quickly ascended the ranks of similar e-retailers. Lately I have been noticing a shift in their product towards a much more sartorially oriented crown - it's not so much that they are leaving the average consumer behind, but they seem to widening their net considerably. By offering products by brands like
Jack Spade and
Duckie Brown they are making an obvious play at the well informed consumer in an effort to expand their business. As one of these consumers I really appreciate this maneuver. Retailers as large as Zappos have the ability to play with MSRP and reseale making high end goods accessible as ever, while exposing lesser known brands to a wide range of consumers who would normally not be familiar with them. I am excited to see what else Zappos brings on board in the coming months and will surely be turning to them for more than just my Authentics and Sambas from here on out.
-L.A.S