Flash sales site One Kings Lane has made its first acquisition today, purchasing publishing design firm Helicopter. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
We’re big fans of One Kings Lane, the Kleiner Perkins backed startup cofounded by Ali Pincus and Susan Feldman. The site offers deep, limited discounts on home décor, furnishings, accessories, and gifts.
Helicopter is a design consultancy that has worked for a number of well-known publishers including Condé Nast, Time, Hachette, Hearst and The Wall Street Journal. Helicopter is best known for launching Domino magazine, redesigning Jane magazine and WSJ magazine.
Helicopter’s expertise will be used to bring “design and content capabilities” to the online retailers. According to a release issued, Helicopter will help develop and curate original content around home decorating, interior decorators, gift-giving, entertaining and more.
With new talent, leadership and a new acquisition, One Kings Lane’s business appears to be booming. Last fall, the company told us that revenue grew 500% since 2009, and grew another 60% within a three month period. And more than 50% of customers make repeat purchases.
Ensuring a retail site focused on home decorating has proper design elements isn’t surprising. But what’s interesting is that the startup is going to be incorporating more editorial content into the flash sales site, which should add an interesting element to the competition, which includes flash sales giant Gilt Groupe. If done right, this could be a win for One Kings Lane.