eBags uses its expertise to bring another luggage seller online

Upscale luggage manufacturer and retailer Tumi Inc. has launched a web site powered by eBags Technology Services, a subsidiary of online luggage and bag retailer eBags Inc. The site marks the debut of Tumi online and is also the debut site for eBags Technology Services.

Tumi will handle all merchandising, marketing, order processing, fulfillment and customer contacts. EBags will handle software development and site maintenance.

In announcing the launch of the site, Tumi said, “The combined effects of an economic downturn and the attacks of Sept. 11 put serious strains on the travel goods industry forcing Tumi, and others in the industry, to rethink existing marketing strategies. Tumi had been cautious about entering the world of e-commerce, but, seeing the possibilities of e-commerce done the right way, developed the unique strategy of working with eBags Technology Services to leverage the proven strengths of both companies.”

"Our goal was to create a site that had the look and feel of our brick and mortar headquarters Tumi stores combined with the customer service and shopping experience of a world-class e-commerce site. While our core strengths are designing world-class luxury products and knowing how to present the Tumi brand to consumers, we don`t know how to build and maintain a web site. So we turned to eBags Technology Services, the experts behind the software that powers the most successful e-tailer of luggage and travel goods in the world," said Chad Mellen, vice president of marketing for Tumi.

Tumi operates 20 stores.

Ebags also just launched an e-mail marketing service in which it will maintain e-mail lists and create and mail promotions on behalf of clients. Its first client is bag manufacturer Tignanello, for which it e-mailed a newsletter last week, Peter Cobb, vice president of marketing and co-founder of eBags, tells InternetRetailer.com.