Have you ever been struck by an unexpected need for a swimsuit? Imagine a world where that need could be filled immediately with a brand new bikini, delivered poolside.
You might call it a bikini on demand — and it's already happening at some of Las Vegas’ most popular day clubs.
Las Vegas-based lifestyle blog and bikini dealer Bikini.com spent last summer doing business at pop-up stands at XS, Encore and the Pool at the Palms. Company heads say that list might grow next year; Bikini.com is considering signing with two other Strip-side properties.
In the summer months, visitors of the Pool at the Palms and other participating pools have access to a concierge service that guarantees delivery of a new bikini to hotel rooms at the Palms within 60 minutes of a customer making an order.
Acquired in 2013 by Las Vegas new media firm Remark Media Inc., Bikini.com employs two full-time staff writers and a collection of freelancers based in Los Angeles. According to Shannon Follansbee, Bikini.com’s co-director, the writers are fully engaged in a "beach lifestyle,” making them experts on their subject matter: bikini girl culture.
Bikini.com targets the 18-34 demographic, offering a collection of websites, branded merchandise and mobile content. Since the acquisition, Remark has refreshed the website, focusing on informative, beach-centric content like recipes, fashion tips and fitness trends.
"It’s a lighthearted tone and at the same time sassy," said Gina Nguyen, Bikini's other co-director.
Bikini.com staff writers compose stories about health and fitness, recipes and modern love.
On the retail side, Bikini.com offers a wide range of swimsuits, from under $60 for the 18-year-old who might be planning her first big beach trip to San Diego to up to $275 for the 34-year-old world traveler planning her third trip to Southern France.
Nguyen and Follansbee moved to Las Vegas from New York in 2013 to run Bikini.com. Though Las Vegas lacks a classic shoreline, the duo says there's much to admire about Southern Nevada. For one, it's a hospitality hub, where 40 million people visit every year, creating unique opportunities to meet new people.
Plus, compared with New York, the weather isn't so bad.
"We definitely don’t miss the winters," Follansbee said.