eBags’ successful sweepstakes

In the first 45 days of a million-mile-giveaway promotion at eBags.com, 150,000 site visitors have provided e-mail addresses by registering to win. Nearly 80% of the names were new to the site, Peter Cobb, vice president of marketing, tells Internet Retailer. The promotion—primarily the cost of the miles—is costing eBags only in the tens of thousands dollars, Cobb says. Sales at eBags,com this year are projected to approach $20 million, reflecting growth of about 50% over last year. Conversion rates have doubled from last year, Cobb says. EBags ended last year by laying off 25% of its workforce—22 staffers—and focusing on tighter marketing.