With Goliath gone, David looks to fill the gap

Pouncing on the opportunity to serve the former customers of the now defunct online bridal gown giant BrideSave.com, multi-channel retailer David’s Bridal is offering them a 20% discount, on top of any current sales prices, on all off-the-rack dresses purchased in store.

This in-store, off-the-rack offer should benefit brides who now face considerable time constraints due to the abrupt closing of BrideSave.com because most bridal salons carry only sample sizes of wedding gowns, requiring a lengthy ordering process, a David’s Bridal spokeswoman says.

BrideSave.com, the top bridal industry e-retailer and a major player in the Internet retailing industry, unexpectedly closed its doors Friday. The company is No. 135 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide to Retail Web Sites. It reached $56.9 million in sales in 2005, a 40.4% increase over $40.5 million in 2004, according to Internet Retailer estimates.

Customers with orders in process on Friday received e-mail notifications from BrideSave.com that read: “We regret to inform you that we have closed our business. Since 1999, BrideSave has faithfully served thousands of brides and their wedding parties. We extend our sincerest apology. We cannot fill your order.” There is no word on why the company closed or how or if customers with orders in process will get refunds.

“With the ever-growing popularity of online shopping, people are becoming accustomed to getting anything and everything with the click of a mouse,” the spokeswoman says. “While there may be advantages to shopping online for some products, for others, there are significant risks, which has been demonstrated by the closing of two of the major online bridal discounters within the last fourteen months. We want to caution brides-to-be to make informed choices when purchasing so that they are not left in the lurch.”