How Consumer eCommerce is Shaping the Future of Trade (and Why We Built Something Better)
How Consumer eCommerce is Shaping the Future of Trade (and Why We Built Something Better)
We’ve all felt it—the way online shopping has transformed. With just a few clicks, anyone can order everything from a new sofa to an entire living room set and have it delivered to their doorstep. This shift in consumer eCommerce has redefined how we expect to buy online, with fast, seamless experiences setting the bar for what customers want. But what about the trade professionals? What about interior designers and retailers who need more than a quick sale to ensure success in their business?
At Style In Form, we noticed a gap. While the consumer eCommerce world is thriving, the platforms available to trade professionals have lagged behind. Too often, they’re focused on quick transactions, not on long-term partner success or the quality of the products being sourced. So, we decided to change that. By investing in innovation and building a custom solution with our in-house engineering team, we’ve created a new way for retailers and designers to source products—and it’s built for the way you work.
Consumer eCommerce Has Changed Everything
The rise of consumer-focused eCommerce has done wonders for the everyday shopper. People can now browse thousands of options, compare prices, and place orders instantly, all with the expectation that their products will arrive swiftly. This quick, convenient experience has redefined how we think about shopping, and naturally, it’s influenced how trade professionals expect to source products too.
But the needs of an interior designer or furniture retailer are far more complex than those of a consumer furnishing their living room. You’re not just looking for speed and convenience; you’re looking for quality, reliability, and a partnership with your suppliers that goes beyond a one-time sale. Unfortunately, most trade eCommerce platforms simply haven’t kept up.
The Problem with Existing Trade Platforms
A lot of the platforms available for trade professionals feel like they were built for speed rather than the long-term relationships we value at Style In Form. They often focus on getting the sale done quickly, with minimal attention paid to the things that truly matter in our industry—like the quality of the product, customer support, and creating a system that’s flexible enough for the complex needs of designers and retailers.
We’ve heard from countless designers and retailers who are frustrated with these platforms. The quick-sale mentality doesn’t work when you’re sourcing multiple pieces for a large project or planning inventory for a busy retail season. You need more than just a buy-now button—you need a thoughtful experience that prioritizes your success, not just the transaction.
Building Something Better: Innovation from the Inside Out
That’s where we decided to do things differently. Instead of relying on an out-of-the-box solution that didn’t fit our trade partners’ needs, we built something better—from the ground up. With our own in-house engineering team, we’ve created a custom platform designed specifically for the way designers and retailers source products. This wasn’t just a tweak to existing systems; it was a complete reimagination of what a trade eCommerce experience should be.
Here’s what our investment in innovation has resulted in:
A Focus on Quality, Not Just Speed: We wanted to build a platform that wasn’t just about quick transactions but about giving you the tools to source high-quality products with confidence. Our system allows you to see detailed product information, track availability in real time, and make informed decisions.
Built for Partnership: We see our trade partners as more than customers—they’re collaborators. That’s why our platform is designed to help you succeed, whether you’re an interior designer juggling multiple projects or a retailer stocking your store. It’s about creating long-term relationships that go beyond the initial sale.
Tailored to Your Needs: Our in-house team built this platform with the specific challenges of the trade world in mind. From bulk ordering capabilities to custom pricing and shipping options, we made sure the system works for the way you do business.
A New Way to Source Products
By investing in our own engineering team and focusing on innovation, we’ve been able to create something truly unique—a platform that combines the best of consumer eCommerce ease with the thoughtful, robust features that trade professionals need. We’re not just focused on making a quick sale; we’re focused on providing you with a powerful tool that helps you source products smarter, faster, and with confidence in the quality of what you’re buying.
For retailers, this means easier bulk ordering, flexible shipping options, and a platform that keeps you stocked with the latest designs. For interior designers, it’s about giving you a space where you can organize projects, track orders, and source the best products for your clients—without the guesswork.
At Style In Form, we believe that investing in innovation is the key to building better experiences for our trade partners. And with our new custom-built platform, we’re excited to give you a better way to source the products that will make your projects shine.
We can’t wait for you to explore it!
