I, an American, have a friend in Germany that worked for Rocket Internet to get into the startup industry after coming from a strong business consulting background. Even they saw it as doing something a little unethical in order to get experience and move on. They have since left and are now running the supply chain for an independent startup based in Berlin. This Independent startup is an e-commerce site, much like a Gilt/Tchibo mashup. While it is not terribly innovative, it has taken an Idea from the US and merged it with the culture of Germany. I don't think Gilt would be able to move into the market so easily, just as Walmart trying to go to Germany was a failure. We may see this as not very exciting, but the idea of any startup in Germany is counter current business culture and Rocket Internet is responsible for helping change the culture, albeit slowly.
EDIT: Tchibo is a chain of small stores that typically contain a a coffee shop and has goods that change regularly, usually as needed for the season. They appeal to the Germans consumers sense of best value for the money. They in a sense are the working persons Gilt in brick and mortar stores.
EDIT: Tchibo is a chain of small stores that typically contain a a coffee shop and has goods that change regularly, usually as needed for the season. They appeal to the Germans consumers sense of best value for the money. They in a sense are the working persons Gilt in brick and mortar stores.