Blue Nile opens a new web store in the United Kingdom

Blue Nile is expanding its oversees e-commerce initiatives with the launch of a new web store in the United Kingdom. In January, Blue Nile, No. 46 in the Internet Retailer Top 400 Guide to Retail Web Sites, opened its first international e-commerce site in Canada.

In the United Kingdom, the Blue Nile site will provide shoppers with tools to search, review and compare more than 60,000 diamonds according to cut, clarity, color, carat weight and price. “We look forward to showing UK consumers there is a better way to buy a diamond,” says Blue Nile CEO Mark Vadon.

Blue Nile is entering the United Kingdom diamond retailing market based in part on research that suggests shoppers like to buy diamonds and jewelry online. “An independent survey demonstrates consumers in the United Kingdom are seeking an alternative to the traditional diamond shopping process,” the company says. “Nearly one-third said they would purchase a diamond online.”

Blue Nile reported 2004 e-commerce sales of $169.2 million.