Kathy Van Zeeland, eBags Partner on Catalog Nov 21, 2006 11:35 AM
, By Heather Retzlaff
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Kathy Van Zeeland exploded into the handbag and accessories market in late 2004 with her distinctive line of high-quality, trendy products. In two years she has built up her New York-based company to the point where the line is sold in more than 1,300 stores nationwide. On Nov. 1, Van Zeeland expanded her business even more by partnering with Greenwood Village, CO-based online merchant eBags, which now handles Van Zeeland’s e-commerce functions.
As part of the deal, eBags agreed to mail a cobranded catalog of Van Zeeland handbags to 400,000 eBags and Van Zeeland customers, says eBags spokesperson Brittany Ancell. Results of the mailing aren’t available yet, but Ancell says online sales and conversion rates for Van Zeeland’s line are “amazing”; the brand ranked among the top 10 sold on eBags last week. Van Zeeland’s handbags ring in at under $100, while belts, sunglasses, and other accessories range from $48 to $68.
“Overall, we are excited about this opportunity with Kathy Van Zeeland. As with Tumi, for whom we manage e-commerce in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Japan, we have found mutually beneficial e-commerce partnerships,” says Ancell.
Plans to mail future catalogs will be determined once Van Zeeland and eBags assess the current book’s performance.
