Our mission
Our mission
The Independent
Retail Builder
Independent retailers are the true heart of our neighborhoods.
They contribute not only to the economic development of our communities and offer employment opportunities but also to the overall quality of life of the population.
Independent retailers actively engage in local events, fundraisers and community initiatives in a way that large chains or online businesses cannot.
They also represent the livelihoods of many local entrepreneurs who have poured their heart and sweat into making their dream business come true.
More than any other businesses, independent business owners are the faces of our communities.
Independent retailers are the true heart of our neighborhoods.
They contribute not only to the economic development of our communities and offer employment opportunities but also to the overall quality of life of the population.
Independent retailers actively engage in local events, fundraisers and community initiatives in a way that large chains or online businesses cannot.
They also represent the livelihoods of many local entrepreneurs who have poured their heart and sweat into making their dream business come true.
More than any other businesses, independent business owners are the faces of our communities.
Independent Retail in the Past 10
Years: A Resilient Evolution
Independent Retail in the Past 10 Years:
A Resilient Evolution
From local main streets and downtown districts to big-box retail and e-commerce dominance, the retail landscape has been in constant flux. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn in the years leading up to and during the pandemic.
While e-commerce surged, the predicted demise of independent retail did not materialize. Instead, independent retail has shown remarkable growth, underscoring the resilience and adaptability of small businesses.
This "retail apocalypse" seemed to spell doom for large chain stores, plagued by overstock and undifferentiated experiences, leading to widespread closures. On the other hand, independent retailers thrived, leveraging the power of human connection, discovery, and agility that is inherent in small teams.
From local main streets and downtown districts to big-box retail and e-commerce dominance, the retail landscape has been in constant flux. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn in the years leading up to and during the pandemic.
While e-commerce surged, the predicted demise of independent retail did not materialize. Instead, independent retail has shown remarkable growth, underscoring the resilience and adaptability of small businesses.
This "retail apocalypse" seemed to spell doom for large chain stores, plagued by overstock and undifferentiated experiences, leading to widespread closures. On the other hand, independent retailers thrived, leveraging the power of human connection, discovery, and agility that is inherent in small teams.
The pandemic period, rather than diminishing the value of independent retail, highlighted its strengths.
As the online market becomes saturated, with customer acquisition costs soaring, entrepreneurs are rediscovering the sustainable advantage of physical retail. This resurgence emphasizes the importance of local presence, fostering a community-centric shopping environment that large chains struggle to replicate.
In this evolving retail landscape, consumers and businesses are re-embracing the tangible and communal aspects of shopping, signalling a robust future for independent retail that champions personal touch, community engagement, and adaptability.
The pandemic period, rather than diminishing the value of independent retail, highlighted its strengths.
As the online market becomes saturated, with customer acquisition costs soaring, entrepreneurs are rediscovering the sustainable advantage of physical retail. This resurgence emphasizes the importance of local presence, fostering a community-centric shopping environment that large chains struggle to replicate.
In this evolving retail landscape, consumers and businesses are re-embracing the tangible and communal aspects of shopping, signalling a robust future for independent retail that champions personal touch, community engagement, and adaptability.
“The pandemic was expected to weaken independent retail. Online commerce surged as lockdowns and social distancing became the norm. But independent retail did not weaken. It actually re-emphasized what makes these businesses so resilient: the power of human connection, the thrill of discovery, and the advantage of agility.”
“The pandemic was expected to weaken independent retail. Online commerce surged as lockdowns and social distancing became the norm. But independent retail did not weaken. It actually re-emphasized what makes these businesses so resilient: the power of human connection, the thrill of discovery, and the advantage of agility.”
Fast Company
Fast Company
Independent Retailers:
Navigating Success in a Crowded Market
But how do independent retailers win in a crowded space?
How do they drive unique value for their customers and community?
Personalized Discovery
Personalized Discovery
The pandemic has intensified the yearning for a more intentional way of life. This desire for authenticity and simplicity is where independent retail shines. Unlike their online and big-box counterparts, independent shops create immersive, memorable experiences that resonate deeply with their communities.
These experiences, characterized by the joy of discovery, allow customers to stumble upon products and stories tailored to their lives and interests. Each visit to a boutique or specialized store becomes a journey into the personal tastes and passions of the shop owner, fostering a sense of connection and wonder often lost in the efficiency-driven larger retail environment.
The pandemic has intensified the yearning for a more intentional way of life. This desire for authenticity and simplicity is where independent retail shines. Unlike their online and big-box counterparts, independent shops create immersive, memorable experiences that resonate deeply with their communities.
These experiences, characterized by the joy of discovery, allow customers to stumble upon products and stories tailored to their lives and interests. Each visit to a boutique or specialized store becomes a journey into the personal tastes and passions of the shop owner, fostering a sense of connection and wonder often lost in the efficiency-driven larger retail environment.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
A significant trend among North American retailers is the fusion of retail space with community hubs. This dual-purpose approach, supported by findings from Square, indicates a growing emphasis on enhancing in-store experiences, with 94% of retailers aiming to transform shopping into a more eventful and engaging activity.
This strategy leverages the unique position of independent retailers to offer emotionally rich experiences that large online channels and chain stores need help replicating. As e-commerce focuses on convenience, independent stores become the heart of authentic shopping experiences, where relationships are nurtured and brand loyalty is born.
A significant trend among North American retailers is the fusion of retail space with community hubs. This dual-purpose approach, supported by findings from Square, indicates a growing emphasis on enhancing in-store experiences, with 94% of retailers aiming to transform shopping into a more eventful and engaging activity.
This strategy leverages the unique position of independent retailers to offer emotionally rich experiences that large online channels and chain stores need help replicating. As e-commerce focuses on convenience, independent stores become the heart of authentic shopping experiences, where relationships are nurtured and brand loyalty is born.
Trust & Authenticity
Trust & Authenticity
In an era where consumers crave transparency and authenticity, independent retailers emerge as trusted advisors. Studies show that a vast majority of shoppers place higher trust in recommendations from their personal networks over brand advertising, expressing skepticism towards influencer endorsements.
Independent shop owners, deeply integrated into their communities, act as genuine influencers, curating products with a personal touch that reflects the preferences and interests of their customers.
In an era where consumers crave transparency and authenticity, independent retailers emerge as trusted advisors. Studies show that a vast majority of shoppers place higher trust in recommendations from their personal networks over brand advertising, expressing skepticism towards influencer endorsements.
Independent shop owners, deeply integrated into their communities, act as genuine influencers, curating products with a personal touch that reflects the preferences and interests of their customers.
Supporting Local Economies and Sustainability
Supporting Local Economies and Sustainability
Consumers increasingly prefer independent retailers for their ability to contribute to local economies, offer unique and intriguing products, and deliver exceptional customer service. Additionally, shopping locally is seen as a means to support social good, with a notable percentage of consumers recognizing the environmental benefits and the promotion of more sustainable product options by independent retailers.
Consumers increasingly prefer independent retailers for their ability to contribute to local economies, offer unique and intriguing products, and deliver exceptional customer service. Additionally, shopping locally is seen as a means to support social good, with a notable percentage of consumers recognizing the environmental benefits and the promotion of more sustainable product options by independent retailers.
For every dollar spent at a small business, 66 cents on average stays local. Conversely, 11 cents of every dollar spent stays in the community when consumers shop at a large multinational business.
For every dollar spent at a small business, 66 cents on average stays local. Conversely, 11 cents of every dollar spent stays in the community when consumers shop at a large multinational business.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
The challenges ahead
Considering independent retailers' unique challenges, we must approach their situation realistically. While they navigate through uncertain times marked by economic fluctuations, supply chain issues, and rising operational costs, there's a resilient spirit within the independent retail sector. The adversity brought on by global challenges has tested their resolve, yet many remain steadfast in their mission to serve their communities.
This resilience is a testament to their agility and deep connection with their customers. As they explore new avenues like online sales, the journey is fraught with obstacles, including heightened competition and the need for digital savviness. However, this digital shift also presents a unique opportunity for independent retailers to extend their reach and showcase the uniqueness of their offerings on a broader scale, all while maintaining the personal touch and community focus that distinguish them from larger competitors.
Considering independent retailers' unique challenges, we must approach their situation realistically. While they navigate through uncertain times marked by economic fluctuations, supply chain issues, and rising operational costs, there's a resilient spirit within the independent retail sector. The adversity brought on by global challenges has tested their resolve, yet many remain steadfast in their mission to serve their communities.
This resilience is a testament to their agility and deep connection with their customers. As they explore new avenues like online sales, the journey is fraught with obstacles, including heightened competition and the need for digital savviness. However, this digital shift also presents a unique opportunity for independent retailers to extend their reach and showcase the uniqueness of their offerings on a broader scale, all while maintaining the personal touch and community focus that distinguish them from larger competitors.
Customers increasingly seek personal relationships and community-based experiences as an alternative to the often impersonal nature of online shopping.
Customers increasingly seek personal relationships and community-based experiences as an alternative to the often impersonal nature of online shopping.
Ethan Song, CEO RareCircles
Ethan Song, CEO RareCircles
What can independent retailers do?
What can independent
retailers do?
Independent retailers can maximize their impact by strategically leveraging their unique assets.
Independent retailers can maximize their impact by strategically leveraging their unique assets.
Innovative monetization of existing customer bases, such as exclusive offers or loyalty programs, can boost in-store spending.
Innovative monetization of existing customer bases, such as exclusive offers or loyalty programs, can boost in-store spending.
Enhancing in-store experiences to attract new customers and encourage repeat visits is key.
Enhancing in-store experiences to attract new customers and encourage repeat visits is key.
Strengthening community ties ensures customers prefer the personal touch of local shopping over online alternatives.
Strengthening community ties ensures customers prefer the personal touch of local shopping over online alternatives.
Adopting advanced forecasting and customer data analytics will enable retailers to drive traffic and sales proactively, moving beyond passive reliance on foot traffic for revenue.
Adopting advanced forecasting and customer data analytics will enable retailers to drive traffic and sales proactively, moving beyond passive reliance on foot traffic for revenue.
Digital innovation as a way forward
Digital innovation as
a way forward.
Embracing digital innovation is pivotal for independent retailers to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By leveraging digital tools, they enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and expand their market reach, turning digital innovation into a strategic advantage.
Retailers immediately jump to eCommerce and online sales when they think about digital transformation. But digital innovation is for more than just eCommerce. It can often be better applied to growing their business where they need it the most - in their local retail store.
Independent retailers have survived and will continue to survive despite the growth in software and technology. But that doesn’t mean they cannot embrace it to their advantage.
Most retailers have adopted point-of-sales solutions and accounting software in the past few years. Those tools have become essential and help retailers organize their business processes and increase efficiency.
However, what those tools don't do is increase revenue.
More revenue flows directly into the pockets of business owners and funds their livelihoods.
Embracing digital innovation is pivotal for independent retailers to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By leveraging digital tools, they enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and expand their market reach, turning digital innovation into a strategic advantage.
Retailers immediately jump to eCommerce and online sales when they think about digital transformation. But digital innovation is for more than just eCommerce. It can often be better applied to growing their business where they need it the most - in their local retail store.
Independent retailers have survived and will continue to survive despite the growth in software and technology. But that doesn’t mean they cannot embrace it to their advantage.
Most retailers have adopted point-of-sales solutions and accounting software in the past few years. Those tools have become essential and help retailers organize their business processes and increase efficiency.
However, what those tools don't do is increase revenue.
More revenue flows directly into the pockets of business owners and funds their livelihoods.
Our mission
Our mission
Forge stronger, more meaningful connections between independent business owners and their customers, building profitable and enduring businesses.
Forge stronger, more meaningful connections between independent business owners and their customers, building profitable and enduring businesses.
Forge stronger, more meaningful connections between independent business owners and their customers, building profitable and enduring businesses.
RareCircles arms independent retailers, the heart of our neighborhoods, with the best tools to grow their business and grow revenue through the power of community.
E-commerce and online businesses have long leveraged sophisticated tools to enhance customer engagement and retention. We're integrating these technologies and insights to empower retailers in expanding their clientele and boosting revenue from existing customers.
Recognizing the challenges of financial and knowledge barriers, we offer a streamlined solution—a single price for comprehensive access to essential tools. We are eliminating the complexity and cost of using multiple products.
Additionally, we provide robust support, extensive educational resources, and a vibrant community for independent retailers, fostering the growth of resilient and profitable local businesses that contribute to the vitality of our neighborhoods and communities.
As a result, local businesses will be more profitable and sustainable, increasing the strength of neighborhoods and communities. That is something worth fighting for.
RareCircles arms independent retailers, the heart of our neighborhoods, with the best tools to grow their business and grow revenue through the power of community.
E-commerce and online businesses have long leveraged sophisticated tools to enhance customer engagement and retention. We're integrating these technologies and insights to empower retailers in expanding their clientele and boosting revenue from existing customers.
Recognizing the challenges of financial and knowledge barriers, we offer a streamlined solution—a single price for comprehensive access to essential tools. We are eliminating the complexity and cost of using multiple products.
Additionally, we provide robust support, extensive educational resources, and a vibrant community for independent retailers, fostering the growth of resilient and profitable local businesses that contribute to the vitality of our neighborhoods and communities.
As a result, local businesses will be more profitable and sustainable, increasing the strength of neighborhoods and communities. That is something worth fighting for.
Photo credits
Ciele, Culture Athletics, BlackToe Running, VIA Atelier, Le Club, Parmi Lifewear
Photo credits
Ciele, Culture Athletics, BlackToe Running,
VIA Atelier, Le Club, Parmi Lifewear
The all-in-one customer experience platform.
The all-in-one customer experience platform.
The all-in-one customer experience platform.
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