Internet Empowers U.S. Retailers to Export Consumer Lifestyle

December 21, 2011 – As gift-buying frenzy mounts in the days before Christmas, US retailers are exporting the country's shopping culture along with once hard-to-get goods to locales around the world. According to New York-based global ecommerce provider, FiftyOne, sales handled by the company this holiday season so far have more than doubled over the equivalent period last year.

"Globalization means that consumers want to have the ultimate retail experience -- which really means having the American retail experience," says Michael DeSimone, Chief Executive Officer of FiftyOne. "And consumers know when big buying days in the US are driving sales of the goods they want to purchase, so that also drives international purchasing."

FiftyOne clients include US retail titans Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Sears, as well as Aeropostale, Barneys New York, Crate & Barrel and online-only "flash sales" sensation Gilt.

Gilt has added tens of thousands of new members since it went international in November with FiftyOne's help, according to Gilt senior director of logistics Crystal Caligiuri.