Saks tests ‘private’ online sale

New York City Saks earlier this week experimented with offering online "private event" sales of discounted designer goods, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Saks launched a 36-hour sale on Tuesday open only to those who received e-mails from Saks directing them to the site. The limited-time sale will be followed by another test in November, the report said.

The move comes as "flash" Web-discount sites pick up popularity in the United States.

To emphasize the short-term nature of each sale, Saks’ site features a large clock that counts down the hours, minutes and seconds, for placing orders. Quantities were limited, the report said.