Zulily is going out of business

The Seattle-based online fashion retailer Zulily has announced it is going out of business. This news marks the end of a journey for a company that, at one point, was valued at $7 billion and stood as a formidable challenger to e-commerce giants like Amazon.

As Zulily’s website now starkly announces a “going-out-of-business sale” with all sales being final, customers and vendors alike are coming to terms with the reality of the company’s closure.

Vendors, some of whom have been with Zulily for years, are left seeking payments owed, while former employees reflect on the impact of a company that once symbolized innovation and growth in the e-commerce space.

Founded in 2010 by Mark Vadon and Darrell Cavens, Zulily began with a focus on children’s apparel, quickly gaining traction through its innovative use of flash sales…