About the author/applicant
Hi there—my name is Rasheia Harris and I would, first and foremost, like to thank you for not only taking time out of your schedule to read the contents of this website, but for also considering this application for the Inside Sales Executive position opening. As a recent college graduate from Johnson & Wales University, with a bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Marketing, I have held stints in numerous fields, including: Public Relations (Consumer and Government Technology, Healthcare, Non-Profit, and Fashion), Online Media, Retail, and Event Marketing. This “virtual application” is a creative way for me to not only express my admiration of the company, but to affirm my commitment in contributing as much I can to see that the company goes through continuous growth. I sincerely believe in Shoptiques, and truly hope that you find the materials in this website an impetus of sorts for future projects!
Why Shoptiques is the Next Multi-Billion Dollar Company.
Boutiques Worldwide
Countries
Cities
Targeted Revenue (in Millions)
America's Most Promising Company
Shoptiques was featured on FORBES Magazine’s 2015 list of “America’s Most Promising Companies”, ranking #85 on the prominent roundup.
Changing the Way Consumers Shop
In earlier times, “boutique shopping” heavily relied on visiting its physical locations due to the lack of resources and knowledge on the subject on behalf of store owners. Now, with Shoptiques offering store owners the resources and platform to sell online, boutiques are available to find their next great customer and consumers are able to shop their favorite stores online.
Yelp! Partnership
In May 2015, Yelp! announced its first shopping partnership with Shoptiques to create a marketplace supporting over 200 local boutiques. On this new platform, consumers can directly buy from independent boutiques in over 1,000 cities.
Skyrocketing Increase in Revenue
In 2014, Shoptiques generated $3 million in revenue, which increased 700% from the previous year. Impressive!
Rapid Boutique Sign-Ups
In 2012, the company started with 25 partner stores. Now, it hosts over 2000 boutiques in over 1000 cities in 3 countries.
Stellar Mobile App
The Shoptiques mobile app is an algorithmic, one-stop shop where customers can find great products at the swipe of a finger. The app discovers and personalizes products based on the consumers’ taste, which creates a seamless experience for its users.What’s Inside This Report.
Table of Contents
Local Expansion
Ways that Shoptiques can attract consumers and accrue boutique clients within the United States border.Partner Stores
A list of qualified boutiques in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that offers unique brands and excellent customer service.Cross-Border E-commerce
An analytical view of e-commerce trends and statistical insights from around the world.Market Research
Four hand-selected focus territories and underserved markets that have a substantial demand for products and services offered by Shoptiques.What I Can Offer Shoptiques
An outline of what I look forward to experiencing at Shoptiques.What Shoptiques Can Offer Me
An outline of the positive opportunities I am sure the company can offer me.Ways Shoptiques Can Maintain Domestic Growth
Answer key customer concerns.
According to various sources, the following items are key concerns observed by many online shoppers: trust seals displayed on website(s) that ensures security, same-day delivery options, no shipping fees, location-based offers and deals, free returns, 24/7 customer service, and personalized services.Follow a lead nurturing program.
Download software with a lead nurturing plan, or sales conversion system, that develops relationships with customers at every stage of the sales funnel. The steps of a lead nurturing program include: instant response e-mail systems, consistent follow-ups (via email and phone), result-tracking of sales methods (ROI), and more.Analyze industry trends.
With the growing numbers of e-commerce activity and Internet penetration, local merchants in the US are required to stay abreast of industry trends for a competitive advantage. Here are some recent trends that will likely affect how merchants approach e-commerce in the near future: the Internet of things, algorithm software, mobile shopping, digital payment processing (Apple Pay, Bitcoin), and multichannel retailing.Form strategic partnerships.
With the successful launch of partnering with Yelp! earlier this year, I would recommend the company look further into adding more partnerships that would contribute to satisfying consumer demands. For example, if Shoptiques joined forces with a courier company to provide a same-day delivery service, this would combine the benefits of in-store shopping and online purchasing in an economy where, according to Global PwC 2015 Total Retail Survey, 53% of shoppers “prefer to shop in-store to get the product immediately”.Find speaking opportunities and industry events.
Attend and engage at events that specialize in the technology, e-commerce, SMB, retail, mobile, and fashion industries. This gives the company an opportunity to network with other thought leaders and customers, as well as learn different business strategies.Target Social Channels.
Social media can be used to influence online purchases, as 62% of digital natives expressed that “social media had led them to buy more.” (Global PwC 2015 Total Retail Survey)Local Partner Stores
Since launching in 2012, Shoptiques has seen an increase in partner stores and sign-ups over the course of three years. The company, which currently partners with over 1,5000 stores, employs an aggressive growth strategy that ensures the record-breaking results reported by the company. In 2013, Shoptiques accounted for 150 stores with a goal of 750 stores by the end of the year, which has since been greatly surpassed. According to CEO Olga Vidisheva (via Racked), the three main criteria used in the selection process are: unique merchandise and good pricing, excellent in-store customer service, and “own point-of-view”. With this knowledge, I put on my “Sales Executive” thinking cap and began researching independently-owned boutiques in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area* that meet the criteria.
Location
Located within the Washington D.C. Metropolitan areaOwnership
Independently-owned with a physical storefront locationUniqueness
Distinct designer brands and productsReputation
A local following and loyal customersQuality
Outstanding customer serviceLooking to Break Into New Markets? Look No Further.
What Is Cross-Border E-Commerce?
- Canada 34%
- China 39%
- UK 49%
Which Countries Do American Online Consumers Purchase From?
%
Internet Users That Have Bought Products and Goods Online (via desktop, mobile, tablet or other online tablets)
- Germany 48%
- Brazil 79%
- Australia 69%
- China 84%
Which Countries’ Online Consumer Purchase From the US?
Analyzing the Cross-Border Market
“In 2015 the company will look to boost its reach in those locations as well as break into new markets. Vidisheva says she’s working to identify two new city markets to tackle but won’t disclose exactly which fashion hotbeds she’s leaning towards (hint: they are in Europe and Asia).” In January 2015, Forbes published a profile on the CEO of Shoptiques revealing her goal to “break into two new city markets throughout Asia and Europe” within the year. Although the specifics of the targeted markets went undisclosed throughout the article, I decided to configure market research on territories that Shoptiques could potentially reach. What started out as a compilation of over 20 potential markets, eventually narrowed down to only four via the selection process listed below. The chosen city markets are as follows: Madrid, Berlin, Tokyo, and Melbourne.
Each city was measured and compared by the following: annual online sales, direct competitors, mobile shopping accessibility, online growth expectations, Globe Shopper Index rate (powered by Global Blue), e-commerce regulations to know, competitive advantages, most purchased categories online, and partnership prospects.