The invitation-only online sample sales run by Gilt Groupe have gotten a major boost in an economy that needs a major booster shot. Launched less than a year ago, the site claims it maintains a "private online community," whether fashion-seekers are invited by existing members or through customer service on the site.

Sample sales are announced via email and generally last 36 hours -- or less, considering prices are 70% off retail. This week alone, I've received messages for sales on Chloé, Derek Lam and Thakoon. (The image above is from today's Marc by Marc Jacobs sale.)

The fledgling startup has recently forged partnerships with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and the CFDA. It also appointed last week the former Martha Stewart CEO Susan Lyne in preparation for click-happy recessionistas. The site does civilize the whole sample sale scene -- no Balenciaga tug-of-wars beyond the virtual.

Ideeli, a new website that offers deep discounts on luxury goods for women is creating a big stir and they haven't even officially opened yet. The company, which deals in purses, jewelry and other designer goods will operate like similar sites we have seen for gadgets and for wine in which a product is offered for a limited amount of time and once it is gone, it's gone. Ideeli will operate on a membership only basis with invitations coming either from the company or existing members. They will sell just three or four specific items each week. Shoppers who want a VIP upgrade can pay can pay $8 monthly to shop an hour ahead of the general membership. Ideeli just received $3.8 million in venture-capital financing.

Another company with a similar agenda, Gilt Groupe, also recently received $5 million in funding. So it looks like these two will be battling over the same market. The question is whether or not there is a big enough market for two sites to flourish. With the "it bag" on the wane and aspirational consumers spending less and less it will be interesting to see how these two companies do.