Online Luxury Retailer Yoox Has Sights Set on China

Even though it's not yet available in China, most of you have probably heard of Yoox.com before. The online luxury outlet store is widely adored for its vast selection and slashed prices. And unlike many other shopping websites such as Shopbop or Net-a-porter, Yoox also offers clothing and accessories for men.

But what you might not have been aware of is that Yoox — along with running its own multi-brand website — is also responsible for powering the full-price online stores of several major fashion houses, including Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino.

And the Internet is abuzz over the news that Yoox now has its sights set on China. According to Reuters, the Italian company "is planning to bring some of the most exclusive fashion brands to China next year."

Emporio Armani paved the way in late November, becoming the first Western fashion brand hosted by YOOX Group to debut on the online China market. The rest are set to follow in the first half of 2011.

UPDATE (Dec 15, 2010, 3:30PM): YOOX Group's PR has just informed us that while yoox.com still has no clear release date set in China, they do plan on unveiling their other online boutique thecorner.com in the second half of next year. This newer and more alternative webstore operates like a creative platform, featuring cutting-edge and artisanal designers who can give buyers a better idea of their collections via fashion shoots and short films.

Perhaps this is a tactic aimed to educate Chinese buyers about products with lesser-known, but equally edgy labels?

Whatever their motives, the launch of both thecorner.com and their mono-brand websites are following a detailed marketing strategy. YOOX is taking no chances with this potentially massive client base — their press release indicates that they expect China to become one of their top three markets in the next five years — and are doing all they can to ensure a hassle-free shopping experience, from setting up an office in Shanghai to offering FEDEX delivery and free returns.