Off-price fashion etailer Vente-privee is to launch in the US under a joint venture agreement.

Vente-privee would not disclose who its joint venture partner is but it will open a New York office later this year. It is expected to make an announcement with full details later today.

The move follows the controversial U-turn on its strategy to buy product on a territory-by-territory basis, which prompted Vente-privee to effectively close its UK office.

It initially scaled back its London office from eight to two staff, UK commercial managers Christina Piggott and Samantha Lavin, but it is understood they are now leaving.

Former country sales manager Bunty Stokes is on gardening leave.