French online concept store launches, promoting Parisian design
French digital entrepreneurs Kevin Tayebaly and Jérôme Dewavrin have launched Paris.Shopping, an online marketplace specialised in labels and concept stores that are quintessentially Parisian, and steering clear of anything that smacks of tourist shopping.
The idea first took hold in the minds of Jérôme Dewavrin, a digital strategy consultant and nephew of the founder of French kids and maternity wear retailer Vertbaudet, and of Kevin Tayebaly, former partnership director at Groupon, in early 2017. Come spring, the Galeries Lafayette group took a minority stake in the new company, and the City of Paris and BPI France, the French government's investment bank, also put their weight behind the venture. Altogether, Paris.Shopping raised nearly €1 million to set itself up in business.
The e-store was launched gradually from September, and has intensified its promotional activity in December. It now features about one hundred Parisian brands and multi-brand retailers from the fashion, beauty, home decoration and food sectors, such as Fleux, Faguo, Jamini, La Trésorerie, Basus and Le Bijou Parisien.
"We capitalise on Paris' worldwide renown, as we advertise brands and designers from the French capital internationally, but we are also targeting local [consumers], who don't have the time to go out shopping," said co-founder Kevin Tayebaly. The site puts customers and concept stores/brands in direct touch, but it also provides a delivery service.
The founders reckon the model can be adapted to many other major cities, and are already looking to expand beyond Paris. They hope to be able to work on the launch of dedicated marketplaces for New York and London in 2018 and 2019, since "each city has its own creative forte," said Kevin Tayebaly. To support their plans, the founders are preparing a new financing round.
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