Freemans adds 200 new brands as part of marketplace launch
Freemans has officially launched its own marketplace with new brands to complement its existing bought ranges.
In addition to the 500 brands already on the platform, a further 200 will be introduced this spring, adding more than 18,000 third-party products to the platform.
Subscribe to TRBThe new additions span a wide range of categories, from clothing and gifts to gadgets and power tools, and include high street shoe brands Kurt Geiger, Carvela and Dune Footwear, as well as men’s big and tall specialist Bad Rhino.
The signings also include Ann Summers, which will use the marketplace to introduce its lingerie and women’s sexual health range to a new and wider audience.
The marketplace model has been in development since last year, with the retailer bringing in Steve Harrison, previously of N Brown, as head of marketplace to lead the rollout.
Susie Calvert, chief merchandising officer at Freemans said: “The modern shopper wants speed, convenience but most of all, to buy everything from a single, trusted hub. This gives them peace of mind that they’re dealing with an established name, not an unknown internet site – and a single point of contact for their customer service and delivery.
“Our marketplace offering is already incredibly popular and adding over 200 new brands means we can give shoppers even more of what they want. Curation has also been central to the brands we are offering as such we’re constantly listening to customer feedback to assess which brands to bring on board next.”
Budget fashion ranges from Yours and M&Co will also join the platform as Freemans looks to appeal to the 40+ market, which it said is key to its continued growth. The site will also see the additions of major beauty brands.
Ann Steer, chief executive of Freemans, said: “For Freemans, Marketplace isn’t an add-on offering but part of our core sales strategy. From logging on to purchase to delivery, the experience is seamless, with shoppers expecting – and receiving – that Freemans customer service magic.
“An amazing offering complemented by our in-house designed collections across home and fashion is central to the momentum continuing on our growth story and gives yet another reason for customers to shop with us.”
