The Global Analyst

In their new sale which starts today, Gilt gives members the ability to reduce their guilt (about their Gilt e-shopping habit) by using their online popularity score (their Klout) to reduce their Gilt shopping cart bill.

Ever the forerunner of co-branded initiatives, Gilt has now partnered with Klout for a specially curated sale.

The Gilt sale features Klout prominently in a few ways. Most interestingly, the Klout sale section gives Gilt members who are also on Klout additional discounts dependent on their Klout score. Presumably, the better the Klout number, the more discounts. This is interesting as it encourages people who have many social ties to wear the brands that are offered through the sale. Since these people are socially prominent, presumably the brands they wear are noticed more than if they were worn by a wallflower.

Playing the wing-man, the Gilt sale advises non-Klout Gilt members to sign up for the Klout site in order to receive additional discounts.

Additionally, the sale is curated by the four highest ranking Klout members. Curated sales are not new to Gilt, but it’s interesting that they think by getting people with high Klout scores, but still unrecognizable names, will pique interest.

I have seen Klout-related events, but this is the first Kluot-related online sales event I’ve seen. The partnership seems fitting, Klout is about being popular, and Gilt is about wearing the most popular designer brands, so I’m interested to see how it grows and if it will expand to become a more regular offering. What else could Klout be good for besides reducing Gilt?

A few sites (PSFK and GOOD magazine) have featured articles about a new gym membership, Gym-Pact, that penalizes aspiring gym rats for not going to the gym.

Inspired by behavioral economics theories, this service launched last month, seeks to change consumer behavior through monetary punishment rather than more positive methods of reinforcement. I mention that is was launched last month (December 2010, good timing, corresponding with new years resolutions) because I am curious how long this service will survive. Personally, I would not pay to join a gym only to have the gym punish my bank account when I don’t show as often as planned.

I think  the idea is a good one; however, I think that the reinforcement would work better if it were positive. For instance, if the gym member completes the planned workouts, they get a 15% discount on membership. A small discount as incentive can benefit both the members and their gyms. The members go more often, improving their personal health, and the gym gets increased visitations. At least at my gym, increased visitation means more chances to sell smoothies, workout gear, training sessions, and renewals of annual membership.