New global B2B online platform Retaissance launches for independent brands and buyers

This week sees the “soft launch” of Retaissance, a new online service that allows brands and buyers across all areas of retail to connect and trade internationally all-year – with a real focus on independent brands and buyers at smaller independent stores.

The full launch is scheduled for the first week of August, when buyers will be able to register, but buyers can register interest now to join at a later date.

Retaissance allows buyers to browse the site and build a portfolio of products that match their exact preferences on stock availability, product categories, lead times, price-points and sustainability. They can also use the site to track brands as markets develop and extend their lines with fresh products from independents.

Shortly after launch, the site will also boast a community framework called "The Lounge", which aims to create more opportunities for members to meet and trade. The Lounge will bring together retail news, forecasts and contributions from industry-leading figures, influencers and partner publications across the fashion, jewellery and home and gift retail sectors.

Cathie Osborne, founder and owner of Retaissance, said: “Wholesale models are changing across retail and low minimum order quantities (MOQ’s), ‘never out of stock’ and ‘in season, stock available’ models will be in greater demand. Our namesake is the Renaissance period - it also followed both a pandemic and economic crisis.

“Retail buyers in all categories have lost resource and have increasingly difficult targets to meet and need to find the ‘next big thing’ efficiently and repeatedly. People’s lives have changed and this will prompt changes in their approach to purchasing. Communities have rediscovered local, and this renewed sense of community and desire to support local businesses will see the consumer re-look at independents.”

The new service is completely free to buyers and is available to brands for a small monthly subscription. Showcase setup time is free for early adopters to allow them to prepare their product showcases and upload resources ahead of the full launch.