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Harvey Nichols to sell on Farfetch, names new marketing head

Harvey Nichols to sell on Farfetch

Luxury department store Harvey Nichols has partnered with UK e-commerce firm Farfetch, in a bid to bolster its slow online sales.

The London-based Farfetch – which acts as an online connector of consumers to physical stores — will sell a selection of fashion and accessories online for Harvey Nichols; a retailer of high-end fashion and accessories products with brands such as Gucci, Prada and Versace.

SEE ALSO : Chanel invests in Farfetch for digital retail push

Online sales have been a push for the department store since debuting its e-commerce vein back in 2010. According to the brand, only 10% of its sales are now done on the web. The new Farfetch deal aims to reach more customers online, despite offering just a selection of items.

The news follows Farfetch’s recent partnerships with Chanel, which provides the French maison with new store technology that will give customers ways of signalling their preferences or sizes through an app, or of chatting virtually with shop assistants.

London’s Burberry has also newly tapped Farfetch to extend its full offer to clients online, providing another channel beyond its own e-commerce store.

In other news, Harvey Nichols has appointed Deborah Bee as its new group marketing and creative director. Bee will lead the communications strategy and the visual identity of the brand, and will also oversee customer acquisition and retention, and all creative propositions. Bee will report to co-chief operating officer Daniela Rinaldi.

Bee has previously worked at publications including Vogue, The Telegraph, The Guardian and Cosmopolitan, and has 12 years tenure at Harrods across various senior roles, including director of creative marketing.

Founded in 1831, Harvey Nichols is known for its luxury cosmetics and fashion brands, as well as food and wine offerings.

SEE ALSO : Farfetch’s Store of the Future

A rival to the prestigious Harrods, the Harvey Nichols flagship store is found in London’s Knightsbridge, with outlets across the UK, as well as seven international stores.

In October 2011, the Briton opened its Asia flagship, opening at Pacific Place Hong Kong. It has since also opened a location at the Landmark, and has a store in Riyadh and Ankara.