A new Detroit startup hopes to be the online shopping solution for Detroit's growing number of small businesses.
Styleshack is an e-commerce website for women's wear that displays products from various independent boutiques like a virtual catalog. It allows small businesses to list their products online, similar to Etsy, with the added bonus of being listed with related businesses in the Detroit area.
For now, consumers can register for a free account and select products. Stores will set those products aside for the customer up to 48 hours until they come by to pay. The creator of the site says most stores are willing to ship items if customers call. Eventually, people will be able to directly purchase the products online.
About 14 local vendors use the service currently, including Rear Ends, Love Travels Imports, Rebel Nell and Moosejaw. More boutiques are in the works.
"Everyone loves to shop online, but still want to support their local retailer," Styleshack founder Rachel Schostak said. The website makes it easier to shop local so "smaller retailers can get recognized in such a large online marketplace."
Schostak says Styleshack's web developers, based in Memphis, are currently working to "streamline the current features" and add new ones, like the ability to sort products by more filters and purchase them online. The site is also working with Bizdom business incubator in Detroit.
Along with browsing products, Styleshack filters products by a consumer's style "archetype," which is determined by a quiz on the site. The site will send subscribers emails with suggested products based on the archetype and special deals for relevant stores.
Retailers pay a monthly subscription fee of $199 to be included on the site if they have a brick and mortar location. Retailers without a location are charged on commission.
