Boston is known as a Hub for shopping, and not just because of the Pru, Fanueil Hall, Newbury Street, and Wrentham’s premium outlets — also because of e-commerce.
Boston is home to some of the most innovative online shopping destinations, and these companies have been gearing up for the holiday season to reach shoppers all across the globe.
Whether you are looking for an online destination that does niche shopping right, sites with creation and customization at the core, sites that help you save by recycling or whether you are simply looking for a one-stop shop on the web, Boston area companies have you covered.
So while you’re avoiding the craziness (and crazies) of early bird specials on Black Friday or looking to click like crazy on Cyber Monday, still think local!
Sites That Do Niche Right
Daily Grommet: “Fresh finds, true stories”
Looking to buy a not-so-well-known, super special product that reflects you or your giftees values? Lexington-based Daily Grommet will be your ultimate destination. This online marketplace helps you discover unique, new gifts by putting the stories behind their production front-and-center. The company regularly features new ‘grommets,’ and you can check out their holiday section here.
FetchDog: “Unleash the love”
Have a special dog or dog-lover on your list? Look no further than FetchDog, an e-commerce site clearly made by dog lovers for dog lovers. This Portland, Maine-based site boasts an incredible selection of quality products, exclusively for dogs. You’ll be hard pressed to find the slightly higher-priced, carefully selected inventory of items from toys to treats at generic outlets like Petco, and the experience on-site is leaps and bounds better. Check out their Holiday section, and make sure to cash in on the 20 percent off offer.
KarmaLoop: “Global concrete culture”
Have a trendster, hipster or brand-obsessed on your list? Make sure you check out KarmaLoop, “a boutique to outfit cutting edge culture.” KarmaLoop re-sells brand-name underground streetwear and fashion and should be your go to regardless if you’re trying to put a finger on someones style or know the exact product they talked about all Thanksgiving. Browse through lookbooks, see what’s new, take advantage of their filters, or simply browse by brand.
Rue La La: “Most wanted brands. Private sale prices.”
A personal favorite, Rue La La serves designer-name products through their online, private-sale boutiques. Beyond selling beautiful clothes and gifts, the site itself is gorgeously designed. The company ships quickly and offers a great return policy, but has become so popular in the last year you better get online right when the daily boutiques open (11am) and quick click. You should also check out Rue Boston, the location based group-buying site they just launched, and keep an eye out for their ridiculously low-priced “styleathons” that happen every Sunday night.
Sites with Creation at the Core
Blank Label: “Designed by you, stitched by us”
Don’t know what to get the guy who has everything? Not a problem anymore thanks to Blank Label, the Boston-based custom dress shirt maker. The company walks you through a simple process to create an individually-made dress shirts. You can choose from almost forty fabrics in styling everything from placket to pockets and with individually tailoring a precise fit and size. (Read the latest on their founder’s story by Globe columnist Scott Kirsner here.)
CustomMade: “The online source for all things CustomMade”
CustomMade has created an online marketplace for custom, artisan-made furniture. The site will connect you with custom woodworkers and artists who can create a custom pieces, like these custom wine rooms, for example. After landing $1.15M in Angel funding in June, CustomMade most recently launched a ‘ReadyNow’ section that lists already made and ready to purchase items.
Fashion Playtes: “Where girls are fashion designers”
Not sure what to get the little girl on your list this Christmas? Make her dream come true by letting her design her own fashion line. Salem-based Fashion Playtes, which recently pulled in another $4M in investment, does just this for girls and should be your first stop on Black Friday. And if you don’t want her to have a heads up on what she’ll be unwrapping, you can also purchase a gift certificate and then help her design the clothes once the Holiday arrives. She might even make the Fashion Playtes Runway Hall of Fame.
Gemvara: “Designer jewelry your way”
Want to get your that very special lady (or man) some special jewelry this holiday? Regardless if you’re popping the big question in front of the tree or letting your Mom know how much you love her, keep Lexington-based Gemvara in mind. This e-commerce site lets you actually design your own jewels, and promises to ship it quickly (order by December 15 for delivery by Christmas Eve). No faith in your designing capabilities? Check out their featured designs by jewelry artists here.
Sites that Recycle
Gazelle: “Sell and recycle used electronics”
Looking for some extra cash to purchase holiday gifts this year or pay off those credit card bills after it passes? Turn to Boston-based Gazelle to get cash for electronics, games and videos you don’t use anymore. This reCommerce site was recently ranked #24 on Inc. 500 fastest growing companies, and we’ve written before about how well they will pay you for your old devices. Accepting 250,000 different products, you might end up just shipping your old electronics to them today.
Swap.com: “The easiest way to swap books, CDs, movies, and video games”
Cash strapped but still looking to give? Boston-based Swap.com will bring a new meaning to re-gifting this holiday season. The company creates trades between users by matching gently used items you can do without with others who actually want the items. Still haven’t used the Wii Fit your Mom bought you last Christmas but want to give your little bro some version of Mario? Swap.com will help you out without breaking the budget — all you have to pay is a per trade fee and shipping (averages $3.20).
The One-Stop-Shops
CSNStores: “…Shop easy”
Cookware.com, Strollers.com, HolidayDecorationsDirect.com — these are just a few of the 200+ niche e-commerce sites owned and run by Boston-based CSNStores. The company has put together a guide from all of these sites to make your holiday shopping easy and stress free. Search for their top selling items under $100, their daily deals, and even shop by personality, like this section with gifts that ‘unleash the geek.’ CSNStores is your one stop shop, and will help make gifting a lot easier this year.
SmartBargains.com: “Your personal bargain hunter”
While you have to watch the clock to take advantage of Rue La La, SmartBargains.com (both properties are owned by Retail Convergence) offers brand-name items at big discounts 24-7. Browse when you like from clothes to toys, but check in daily to snag their Holiday Deal of the Day which attaches an additional big discount to some of their products. Also be sure to check out the handy Holiday section the company has organized.
?What Boston area e-commerce sites did we miss? Which will be getting your clicks on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
