Glam.com, a fashion site that's set to launch next week and is run by a group of internet and fashion industry veterans, intends to make online shopping preferable to going to the mall, writes CNET. The site offers sleek women's fashion editorial updated daily by fashion editors, merchandisers and stylists. But if users click on a featured item, they end up on an online store that sells it - including Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's, all of which have agreed to pay Glam.com 12-24 percent of sales through the site.

Geared to women between the ages of 25 and 54 with designer tastes, the site is not for bargain hunters, offering no price or product comparisons; instead, the emphasis is on luxury. It's trying to buck the trend in another sense, as well: Only nine percent of those participating in a Gallup survey this year agreed with the statement "I prefer to purchase apparel online rather than stores"; 77 percent disagreed.

Startup Glam Media has signed up 60-plus retail partners, including major department stores and designer boutiques. The editorial and management team include a former publisher of Elle, a contributor to InStyle, and former marketing chiefs from Yahoo and Versace.