What We're Exploring Now: When Digital goes Physical (Retail that is)
#TheFutureofRetail looks bright, and more interesting than its predecessors.
We believe retail isn't dead, boring retail is.
Gen Z expects more from a retail experience, in fact, a new study by IBM & the National Retail Foundation shows that 67% of Gen Z shop in-store most of the time, with another 31% shopping in-store sometimes, revealing 98% still shop in physical retail stores.
If you're going to expect customers to visit you in-store, it should be an experience that goes beyond products on a shelf; it should entertain, surprise & delight, and fully appreciate the art of merchandising by stimulating the senses.
Prior to the below startups, we've long favored the artistic and immersive retail design of @openingceremony, @selfridges, @galerieslafayette, @merciparis, @libertylondon, @colette (RIP) but hello @nous.paris, and @folli_follie - concepts mostly led by the Europeans.
This list is by no means representative of the vast promising retailers that have sprouted up over the past several years, but they all share 3 specific traits - (1) a sharp focus on providing a physical platform for DTC brands (2) founded by women (3) provide a strong sense of community through a relatable brand personality.
1) BULLETIN
We're big fans of this digital IRL startup, who actively support creative entrepreneurs in their quest for visibility and exposure. We first fell in love with the female-focused business after meeting one of their founders Ali Kriegsman, and visiting their inaugural store in Williamsburg (they have since expanded to a larger, flagship-styled space in Nolita (27 Prince Street). They've recently launched a curated marketplace that connects brands and retailers. P.S. We repeatedly rely on Bulletin for their millennial mantras and memorable gifts, can't make it to their store? Scope out their curated assortment of brands at bulletin.co
On Insta @bulletin.co
2) RE:STORE
Founder Selene Cruz launched this San Francisco-based concept which presents online brands in a compelling retail space, with emphasis on community, sampling and intelligent categorization (i.e. Female Founder, Local, Gives Back, Family Founded, Inclusive). Check them out at www.visitrestore.com
On Insta @visitrestore
3) SHOWFIELDS
Manhattan's Bond Street became a fresh destination when Showfields launched. Dubbed as "the most interesting store in the world", @showfields offers a collective of 30+ rotating "online-only" brands highlighting their products in a pop-up style format, with each booth unique to the respective brand (some feat. live theater). Founded by Katie Hunt, it’s part funhouse, part boutique. Showfields is a great example of experiential models of retail that will eventually push out the traditional, and stale, department stores of the past.
On Insta @showfields
4) APPEARHERE
P.S. Appear Here is a brilliant business that helps companies find the space they need to launch, we love the way they're providing accessibility of storefronts to small brands.
On Insta @appearherehq
