Jos Neves

Every day, we receive numerous pitches touting the "next big thing" in e-commerce. Usually, these websites, apps and tools are way too complicated, useless, annoying or all of the above to ever actually catch on. Occasionally, something special like Gilt Groupe, Moda Operandi or Rent the Runway emerges. Farfetch, the online hub for independent boutiques across the world (which might otherwise not be able to afford to run e-commerce), is one of those rare successes. 

Showing confidence in the power of e-commerce and the importance of the internet, the publishing group Condé Nast will announce on Monday an investment in Farfetch, the website that's united individual luxury retailers with online shoppers. Condé Nast is the major player in the $20 million investment. James Bilefield, president of Condé Nast International Digital, and José Neves, founder and chief executive of Farfetch, are scheduled to spell out the details of the collaboration in Paris on Monday.