Completely Reworked Answer that was published by the Business of Fashion:http://www.businessoffashion.com...I ran a three part Forbes series:  The Rise of Gilt Groupe:[Part 1]  The Great Recession Fuels the Perfect Storm - http://bitly.com/tdkQHp[Part 2]  Gilt Ascends to Dominate the US Private Sales Landscape - http://onforb.es/twqCVS[Part 3]   Gilt's Strategy to Combat Full Frontal Assault by Competitors  - http://onforb.es/xq0aD0======================================================I have worked with Gilt several times as a vendor.  Here is their business model:They have ex...