topic Re: Does QVC own LUG? in Handbags

Does QVC own LUG?

TY — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:11:02 GMT

Does QVC own the LUG brand? I was surprised to read that in an article on the Retail Dive website as LUG has opened its first bricks and mortar store.

https://www.retaildive.com/news/qvc-owned-lug-opens-first-retail-store/525396/

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

Bird mama — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:13:19 GMT

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

luvmybeetle — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:20:51 GMT

This is interesting. I didn't know that either. I hope it's not true as it is nice to see an independent retailer like Lug. There are too many gigantic retailers taking over small companies.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

Bird mama — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:22:33 GMT

I checked Lug's website, it's true.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

butterfly123 — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:27:00 GMT

Copied from link

QVC-owned Lug opens first retail store

Lug, the luggage travel accessories retailer now owned by QVC, opened its first store last week at the Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, according to a company press release.
The 1,290-square-foot location features the brand’s vibrant colors and prints, with touchscreen kiosks that help customers try them out, and a "water station" that sells water bottles and provides free water to thirsty travelers.
Lug was founded in 2005 by Ami and Jason Richter, gained notoriety when Oprah became a fan, and joined QVC in 2015, the company said.

Spending in airports reached a global total of $38 billion in 2016, and that could grow another 27% and reach $49 billion by 2021, according to a report from GlobalData Retail last year. Retail storefronts account for a massive 83% of all spending in airports, according to that report.

Lug, which in recent years has enjoyed the kind of boost that only Oprah can deliver, is particularly well suited to getting attention at airports. Travelers are already primed to think about their needs and desires when it comes to luggage and other supplies and often have plenty of time on their hands for shopping — although presumably they are carting around bags that they already own.

It's a rare brick-and-mortar effort from QVC, which last year merged with HSN Inc. to create the number three company (behind Amazon and Walmart) in e-commerce and mobile commerce, with $7.5 billion in online sales and $4.7 billion in mobile commerce revenue, according to company estimates. Together, the companies say they have produced over 55,000 hours of shoppable video content and have strong positions on multiple linear channels and internet broadcast platforms.

QVC has earned high marks for delivering some of the retail industry's best overall customer experience, according to rankings assembled by research firm Temkin Group. Ace, BJ's and QVC tied for the top spot out of the 48 retailers in this year's report, each earning a score of 81% and coming in 8th place overall out of 331 companies across 20 industries. And Lug itself has received the QVC Star Award for Merchandising Excellence, among other awards, the company said last week.

The QVC-HSN merger cast a shadow over Evine, a much smaller television shopping network that earlier this year was rumored to be a target of an Amazon takeover. Home shopping is a particularly effective channel for reaching baby boomers, which is an underserved market for Amazon, according to Matt Sargent, SVP of retail at consulting firm Magid.

@TY Thank you for the information.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

Puppy Lips — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 19:15:11 GMT

Well cr*p, I love my LUG pieces, but somehow that makes me less willing and excited to buy more.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

Alison Wonderland — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 19:44:37 GMT

I don't think QVC owns them outright. I couldn't find anything that said QVC bought them. I found articles that say they are partnered with QVC and a company called J.W. Oliphant & Associates, who work with TV shopping vendors to sell on QVC. It sounds more like a working partnership more than a "we own your brand" relationship. It might be that QVC owns part of the company and not all of it.

I just checked the list of their other clients and they list Hickory Farms and Harry & David. Those companies are definitely not owned by QVC or J.W. Oliphant & Associates. Harry & David and some of their other clients are owned by 1-800-Flowers.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

Ilovetea — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 01:48:42 GMT

@Puppy Lips wrote:
Well cr*p, I love my LUG pieces, but somehow that makes me less willing and excited to buy more.

I am with you there.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

mom2four — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 18:11:42 GMT

Wow, that is disappointing. I do love their bags; they provide the perfect organization, size and price for me!

This is not a positive.

Somehow QVC's involvement never seems to have benefits for the customer.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

Puppy Lips — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 18:44:56 GMT

@mom2four wrote:
Wow, that is disappointing. I do love their bags; they provide the perfect organization, size and price for me!
This is not a positive.
Somehow QVC's involvement never seems to have benefits for the customer.

Plus, the rep is so cute and excited. I feel good about buying from her since she and her husband went out on a limb to start the company. If all or more of the profits are just going to QVC, well then that changes things for me.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

goldensrbest — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 18:52:36 GMT

I bet the quality will go down,they will cut corners, and material.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

pinkmochi — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 07:17:12 GMT

@TY The bottom of the article now states this correction:

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated Lug's relationship with QVC. It is one of the brands sold by QVC.

Re: Does QVC own LUG?

TY — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 07:47:19 GMT

@pinkmochi

Thank you for the updated info on Lug and that QVC doe not own the brand. as I am traveling and not able to log in as much as I would like. I'm glad that is cleared up and the article reflects that.

It is interesting though that QVC is rather an unoffical incubator for brands that end up doing well but QVC doesn't own a piece of their pie - they aren't an equity investor because look at the various brands that have been sold in the past and present that the owners raked in the dough when they sold their company - I'm thinking of Bare Minerals, Philosophy, and IT Cosmetics which are staples of Q programming.