Independent retailers are becoming a powerful force in the fashion industry. From a pandemic-led resurgence to a steady uplift that's driving growth across the sector, independent retailers are going from strength to strength.
Over the past five years, the percentage of total wholesale transaction volume on JOOR attributed to independent retailers has increased significantly from 47% to 59%. This channel plays an even more critical role in EMEA and APAC, where the percentages are 74% and 76% respectively, further highlighting the importance of building a thriving business with a network of high-quality independent retailers.
Yet many brands are still unsure about which indie establishments are a good choice for their business and are struggling with how to go about finding genuine connections with global independent boutiques.
We think of independent retailers as influencers in their local communities. They have spent time building close, personal relationships with their customers and curate their selections specifically with their clientele’s interests in mind. This means being stocked in an independent establishment that aligns with your creative vision can allow you to reach the exact kind of customer you need to maximize your profits.
Independent stores are also often more receptive to new products. This allows brands to showcase unique items without the barriers often presented by larger, potentially more risk-averse retailers.
However, finding appropriate stores is often a difficult process. Extensive research on social media and at trade shows can be very time-consuming and sometimes costly, and even then knowing which independent retailers to choose can be tricky.
Looking into a retailer's reputation, size, existing product range and demographic can be an arduous task with many not readily sharing information. Building connections with the relevant contacts can often take several months, eating away at time that could be spent on other important areas of your business.
The JOOR 100: Top Global Retailers 2024 is an exclusive data-driven list of the most notable independent retailers around the world. It represents retailers from 26 different countries, with a geographical split of 59% North America, 31% EMEA and 10% APAC. It’s a unique and indispensable resource that can be used to find powerful stores that align with your brand.
Across the 100 retailers in The JOOR 100, the average number of orders placed increased 26% versus the previous 12 months, and the average number of brands purchased increased 20% versus the prior 12 months. Retailers on this list are powerful, growing fast and open to exploring new brands. Each of the esteemed establishments chosen for inclusion has demonstrated a strong creative vision, commercial prowess, and customer-centric approach. These are the highly desirable retailers you want to be building relationships with.
The JOOR 100 list of notable retailers is available to explore on JOOR Passport, where you’ll be able to filter by minimum or maximum price and search by product category offered. If you have a subscription to JOOR, click through the list to delve deeper into each retailer’s profile and find additional information such as key buyer contacts, location addresses, and brands carried.
In addition, when using the Find New Retailers directory on JOOR to identify retailers that would be a good fit for your brand, you'll notice the JOOR 100 badge has been added to the profile of each of the 100 retailers when they appear in the search results, so they are easily identifiable.
This designer concept store located on the Lower East Side of New York City, stocks a wide range of edgy pieces from luxury brands like Y Project, JW Anderson, Simone Rocha, Ann Demeulemeester, and Jean Paul Gaultier. One of the most interesting elements of their business is the ESSX Style Studio, their in-store personalized styling experience which gives customers one-on-one time with a style expert who can offer tailored recommendations bespoke to their needs.
This includes helping them to select garments for everyday wear, and special occasions and advice on gifting. Building an intimate relationship with its customers has made ESSX a retailer that has a strong influence on its target demographic. This makes them a powerful player in the downtown NYC fashion scene and earns the store a well-deserved spot on The JOOR 100.
The renowned South Korean retailer has several locations across Seoul and focuses on creating a special experience for their customers. It was the first store to introduce brands including Alexander McQueen, Dries Van Noten, Marni and Maison Margiela into the South Korean fashion scene, and has garnered a fitting reputation as one of the country's most esteemed tastemakers.
Every element of the in-store shopping experience is highly curated from the displays down to the music playlists that they also share on their YouTube channel. Customers place heavy trust in the retailer and its ability to showcase the very best of culture, whether that be international luxury fashion or the latest songs. For those looking to break into the Asian market, this is a powerful connection and so it's no surprise to find them on The JOOR 100.
Renowned Italian independent retailer Biffi has been bringing luxury designer fashion to their loyal clientele since the '60s. The boutique was one of the first to introduce Biba and Mary Quant to mainland Europe in the heyday of Mod style and has continued to be at the forefront of new styles ever since. They were responsible for helping Italians fall in love with Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo in the '80s, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen in the '90s and a whole host of new talent today every time another fashion season rolls around.
This legacy has allowed the retailer to open five stores across Italy as well as an e-commerce platform, so customers from around the world can shop their bespoke curations. Biffi is a testament to how powerful independent retailers can be, and how much they can grow, and so of course it features on The JOOR 100.
Choosing independent retailers for your brand is a critical decision that can have a long-lasting impact on your business. Using The JOOR 100 to carefully evaluate if a retailer matches your demographic, will allow you to focus on making the right connections and can, in turn, help support your future growth.
Access to the entire list is publicly available on JOOR Passport, however, if you are interested in accessing the additional retailer profile information, schedule a call to learn more about joining JOOR.
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