QVC at a Glance

In 1986, entrepreneur Joseph Segel saw an opportunity for a new kind of retail service built on technology and guided by three customer–focused principles: Quality, Value, and Convenience. QVC, in its first full fiscal year, set an American business record for sales by a new public company. Today, QVC, Inc. has emerged as a world leader in electronic retailing.

With net sales at more than $7 billion, QVC is now significantly larger than many established traditional retailers, such as Bloomingdale's and L.L. Bean. It’s also larger than any online retailer and more than twice the size of any other television retailer. With a merchandise mix similar to that of a high-end department store, QVC offers everything from cookware to beauty to apparel. Each hour of programming is themed to address a specific interest, attracting its own distinct demographic profile. This allows QVC to have products that are in tune with, and at times, ahead of the latest trends. Compared to a traditional brick–and–mortar retailer, QVC is able to more easily move and present merchandise in direct response to what is (or is not) selling.

According to Broadcasting & Cable’s 2005 revenue estimates, QVC is the second largest U.S. television network behind only CBS. Globally, QVC reaches more than 166 million cable and satellite homes, and in 2006, received close to 179 million phone calls in the United States alone. QVC has shipped more than 165 million packages worldwide and, in 2007, reached a new milestone, shipping its billionth package.

While QVC is best known for its on–air programming, QVC.com’s online sales continue to increase. With annual sales reaching more than $1 billion, QVC.com has grown to be one of the most profitable merchants on the Internet. According to Nielsen/NetRatings®, QVC.com averages 5 million unique visitors per month in the U.S. alone, and, on a daily basis, the web site receives more than 2,100 product reviews and customer ratings — this traffic represents the largest daily review volume of any Bazaarvoice client to date.

More importantly, QVC.com is setting the gold standard for online customer service, receiving numerous honors and awards. In 2007, QVC.com was ranked number one, alongside Netflix.com, for customer satisfaction in ForeSee Results’ "Top 100 Online Retail Satisfaction Index". BizRate.com, a leading shopping search site, recognized QVC as one of the 50 "Very Best Performing Online Retailers" for outstanding customer satisfaction in 2005, in the Clothing & Accessories and Home & Garden categories. QVC is one of only four online retailers to receive this award for five consecutive years.

Numbers aside, QVC’s philosophy has not changed from its very first day in business: exceed customer expectations at every opportunity. The results: QVC continues to attract an upscale, discerning, and loyal customer base. It has also attracted a growing list of the world’s most respected consumer brands. Through QVC, brand leaders such as philosophy, Dell, Bose, and Bare Escentuals, have found a way to reach an unprecedented number of new customers, sharing the stories behind their brand. Famous faces who have recently appeared on QVC include Michael Kors, Dan Marino, Joan Rivers, Donald Trump, Heidi Klum, Paula Deen, Carson Kressley, Shania Twain, and many more.