Nothing is as exciting as having the power to choose what we want, and still get the “surprised” factor. There’s no better site than the Little Black Bag to get just that. The Little Black Bag offers women (and men) the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind online shopping experience, where they get to pick one item of their choice and have two to three items randomly selected and put in their “virtual” bag. And the best part is the ability to trade items with other people. We got the chance to find out more about Little Black Bag from the company’s CEO, Dan Murillo.
How does LBB set itself apart from other online commercial sites?
LBB is a completely unique online shopping experience in that it is interactive. Instead of specifically choosing items and paying full value for each, a shopper can pick her favorite item, and her bag will then be filled with mystery items according to her taste preferences upon check out. Then for the next week, shoppers can trade items, vote on bags, and chat with other shoppers to ultimately end up with a bag of items she loves totaling over $100 for only $50 a month.
LBB was Inspired by the Japanese shopping concept fukubukuro, or the “lucky bag” sale, but what made the concept translatable to the U.S?
We at LBB loved the idea of being able to trade items with other shoppers to get things we were crazy about, so we decided to bring fukubukuro to the internet. This way, the tradition is hugely accessible to shoppers around the country (and soon out of the country!).
Why not go for a more traditional online shopping experience?
LBB is a fun twist on the typical online shopping experience. Our model provides a sort of game while shopping. You have the opportunity to strategize the best buys and get a kick of excitement when a trade goes through.
Is there a shift towards social media in the retail industry? If so, is this the future of online shopping?
There seems to be a shift towards social media in every industry. Online shopping does seem to be taking a turn in this direction. Right now, though, many sites aren’t incorporating social media directly into their site like we are at LBB. Instead, they are using preexisting means of social networking, like Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also use these sites, but only in conjunction with the networking capabilities of our own website.
Trading is a big part of the interaction on LBB. Why is this option so appealing to members?
Trading gets a shopper invested in her bag. It makes the shopping experience a game, sort of like fantasy football for accessories. It’s exciting to check the site to find out what trades you have and strategize how you can get your favorite things. An LBB shopping experience is one in which a shopper can play and shop!
How can members get the most of their LBB experience?
LBB can be a great experience regardless of how often you actively trade. However, to get the most out of it, it is advised to check the site at least once a day. Our emailing system gives shoppers the option of receiving emails for every new trade or once a day. That way, shoppers can keep up with any new trades made.
Any new features members should expect to see in the near future?
In the future, we plan on expanding our service internationally and introduce new product categories.
