QVC Launches in Italy

Multimedia retailer QVC Inc. began live television broadcasts to18 million homes in Italy Friday from its new studios in Milan.

It’s QVC fifth country to received broadcasts from the West Chester, Pa.-based company—the others being the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany and Japan. QVC estimates that it now reaches 200 million homes worldwide.

QVC Italy will feature presentations of products from well-known brands in fashion, beauty, jewelry, electronics and home. They include L'Occitane, Honora, Kathy Van Zeeland and Panasonic.

The first product QVC Italy offered at its initial midnight broadcast was the Bare Escentuals Intro to Bare Beauty Six-Piece Makeup Kit for a one-day special price of 38 euros ($51).

The new Milan headquarters includes administrative offices, an HD broadcast studio and a call center. Customer orders will be fulfilled by a distribution facility in Huckelhoven, Germany. QVC says its Italian operation reaches more than 18 million households. It will broadcast 24 hours a day with 17 hours of live programming. The channel is available on primary distribution platforms: digital terrestrial television and on satellite via Sky Italia SpA and TiVu Sat.

QVC Italy's management team blends seasoned veterans from some of QVC's other markets, along with local talent. As with QVC's other international operations, all on-air and customer service operations are conducted in the local language.

QVC to Offer Titanic-Inspired Jewelry

Titanic diamond filigree design bold sterling cuff, approximately 499.

The luxury passenger ship, RMS Titanic, proclaimed “unsinkable,” slid into the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg, taking 1,517 people with her. The 100th year anniversary of one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history will be held on April 15. QVC will be noting the anniversary by unveiling its Titanic Collection 100th Anniversary line on April 6 at 8 p.m.

Titanic 0.60-ct. citrine 14K clad hinged cuff, approximately $264.50.

The multimedia retailer says it is the first external retailer for the company named RMS Titanic, the only organization permitted by law to recover objects from the wreck site of Titanic. The collection will include jewelry, home goods, giftware and a fragrance, “Legacy 1912 –Titanicä,” inspired by authentic artifacts recovered from the ship. Items will be made of 14k gold or sterling silver with gemstones.

Titanic white topaz and diamond sterling ring, approximately $184.

“Each of the products being offered will either be an exact replica of an item found on the Titanic or will be inspired by a passenger’s belonging,” the company said in a statement. For example, the intricate designs of an evening bag have been recreated as the "Titanic Diamond Filigree Design Bold Sterling Cuff Bracelet."

Titanic First Class sterling and 14K clad key pendant, approximately $88.