Facebook to Launch New Feature Called 'Gilt'

Facebook announced that it will be rolling out a new feature called 'Gilt.' Gilt will allow Facebook users to purchase items from certain merchants directly through the social network.

The new feature is being tested with a small group of merchants at first, but Facebook plans to expand it to include more businesses in the future. 'Gilt' will be available on both the web and mobile versions of Facebook.

In order to use 'Gilt,' users will have to enter their credit card information into Facebook. After that, they can browse through the selection of items offered by the merchant and purchase them directly from within Facebook.

Facebook says that its goal is to provide a better shopping experience for its users. 'Gilt' will allow users to checkout faster and make payments more securely than ever before.

Facebook is not the only company that is planning to offer direct purchasing through its social network. Earlier this year, Twitter announced plans to launch a similar feature called 'Buy Now.'

Google Introduces New Shopping Service Called 'Gilt'

On Wednesday, Google announced the launch of a new ecommerce shopping service called Gilt. The service is designed to give users a one-stop shop for all their online shopping needs.

Gilt offers a wide variety of products, including clothing, home decor, and electronics. Users can search for specific items or browse by category.

Gilt is currently available in the United States and Canada. Plans are underway to expand into other countries in the future.

Google has been working on Gilt for several years, and it has been beta testing the service for the past few months. During that time, the company has made several changes based on user feedback.

One of the main goals of Gilt is to make it easier for users to find what they are looking for. The search engine is designed to quickly find the right product based on keywords and filters.

The website also includes detailed product information, user ratings, and reviews. This allows shoppers to make informed decisions before buying anything.

Gilt also offers a convenient shopping experience. Products can be purchased with just a few clicks, and orders are shipped quickly and securely. In addition, Gilt offers free returns on most items.

Overall, Gilt looks like an excellent option for online shopping enthusiasts. It's well-designed, easy to use, and features a wide variety of products. With its competitive prices and excellent customer service, Gilt is sure to be a hit among shoppers everywhere.

eBay Plans to Acquire Gilt in $250 Million Deal

eBay has announced that it plans to acquire Gilt in a deal worth $250 million. The acquisition will help eBay to expand its offerings beyond traditional retail products and into the world of luxury goods.

Gilt is a company that operates a members-only online shopping site. It offers products from top luxury brands, including Prada, Gucci, and Valentino. The company was founded in 2007 and has since grown into a major player in the online luxury goods market.

The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. eBay plans to operate Gilt as a separate brand, and no layoffs are planned as part of the acquisition.

John Donahoe, CEO of eBay, said of the deal: "The acquisition of Gilt helps us fulfill our vision of bringing more innovation to commerce and giving shoppers around the world access to the most inspiring merchandise, experiences and services."

Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, added: "We have long been impressed with Gilt's ability to create unique experiences for their customers. We believe that Gilt has a great team, an attractive business model and significant opportunity ahead."

Amazon Launches Competitor to Gilt, Called 'Bargain Bin'

In a clear jab at Gilt, Amazon today announced the launch of a new competitor called 'Bargain Bin.' The new shopping site will offer daily discounts on trendy clothing and accessories for men and women.

"We're excited to offer our customers a fresh alternative to Gilt," said Amazon spokesperson Jennifer Hawkins. "Bargain Bin offers amazing deals on top fashion brands, and we're confident that shoppers will love it."

According to Hawkins, Bargain Bin will offer discounts of up to 70% off original prices. In addition, the site will offer free shipping on all orders over $50.

Gilt has yet to respond to Amazon's move, but industry experts say that the company is in for some serious competition.

"Amazon has always been a force to be reckoned with in the retail world," said Julian Jordan, an analyst with Forrester Research. "Bargain Bin is just the latest example of how they are shaking up the status quo."

Jordan added that while Gilt is still far ahead of Amazon in terms of brand recognition and customer loyalty, the company should not take its lead for granted.

"Amazon is known for being ruthless when it comes to competing with other retailers," he said. "They will definitely give Gilt a run for its money."

Microsoft Announces Plans to Enter E-commerce with 'Gilt'

Microsoft has announced that it plans to enter the e-commerce space through a partnership with Gilt. The move will see Microsoft become a minority investor in Gilt and will give the company access to Gilt's technology and customer base.

Microsoft's president, Brad Smith, said that the move is "an important step in our transformation to a devices and services company." He added that the company plans to use its resources "to bring innovative shopping experiences to millions of customers around the world."

Gilt is a flash sale site that offers designer clothes and accessories at discounts of up to 70%. The site has over 7 million customers and operates in 10 countries. It is one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.

Microsoft's entry into e-commerce is seen as a response to the success of Amazon, which is currently the dominant player in the sector. Amazon generated $61 billion in revenue from online sales last year, compared to Microsoft's total revenue of $74 billion.

Microsoft has been slow to embrace online sales and has been playing catch-up to Amazon. The company has made several acquisitions in recent years in an effort to build out its e-commerce capabilities. These include the purchase of Acompli, which was later rebranded as Outlook Mobile, and Xamarin, a mobile development platform.

The partnership with Gilt signals Microsoft's intent to build out a comprehensive e-commerce offering that can compete with Amazon. This will likely involve integrating Gilt's technology into Microsoft's existing services such as Outlook Mobile and Bing Shopping.