JackThreads

JackThreads emerged in 2008 as a members-only e-commerce site focused on men's fashion, founded by Jason Ross in Columbus, Ohio. Ross, an Ohio State University alumnus, was driven by his personal interest in finding unique streetwear and sneakers at a discount, a combination not readily available at the time. He bootstrapped the company, initially using a Small Business Association loan and his own funds, even enlisting computer science students from his alma mater to build the first version of the website.

The business operated on a flash-sale model, offering curated, high-end streetwear and contemporary brands at significant discounts for limited periods. This model, creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency, proved highly effective, particularly during the post-2008 recession. Revenue was generated through direct e-commerce sales, with new sales events launching daily. The company targeted the 18 to 35-year-old male demographic, quickly growing its member base without a substantial marketing budget by leveraging online blogs and creating a waitlist to enhance its exclusive appeal.

In May 2010, the men's lifestyle media company Thrillist acquired JackThreads, aiming to merge content with commerce. The acquisition provided JackThreads with access to Thrillist's large, aligned audience, fueling explosive growth. Following the acquisition, JackThreads' membership swelled from 150,000 to over 1.6 million by 2012. Despite the growth, founder Jason Ross felt he lost control over the company's direction as more decisions were made from Thrillist's New York headquarters, eventually leading him to step away.

As the flash-sale market waned, JackThreads pivoted its strategy. In 2015, the company was spun off from Thrillist as a standalone entity and launched its own in-house clothing line, shifting focus from daily deals to offering value through its own branded apparel and a smaller, curated selection of partner brands. It also introduced a "TryOuts" service, allowing customers to try clothes at home before purchasing, a model that proved to be financially challenging. Facing mounting losses and increased competition, JackThreads laid off most of its staff in February 2017 and began seeking a buyer. After failing to secure an acquisition, the company held a farewell sale and ceased operations in May 2017. There were indications of a potential relaunch by some of the original team members, but the venture did not regain its former traction.

Keywords: men's fashion e-commerce, flash sales, streetwear, online retail, member-only shopping, Jason Ross, Thrillist acquisition, content and commerce, direct-to-consumer, apparel brand, fashion subscription, retail history, e-commerce failure, TryOuts model, Gilt Groupe competitor, menswear, online clothing store, contemporary brands, urban fashion, clothing discounts