Thriving Curated Online Businesses

Thrift stores that sell clothes at an affordable price.

Source: Juice.Com

Curated online businesses have been thriving since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown as many people had to find other alternatives for their income. According to Mobility Quotient, small businesses usually consider curated product collections because it provides a sense of establishment around niche interests and demonstrates the retailers’ understanding of their customers’ needs. Besides, the product preferences that are usually in the interest of a customer would help retailers’ to provide a virtual boutique shopping experience.

Recently, there have been many curated thrift stores that have made their presence on social media platforms such as Instagram and Carousell. Specifically, on Instagram, a recent feature was added called, ‘Instagram Shopping’ where it let other users to shop through photos and videos so it could give a user’s certain business the immersive storefront for others to explore their products.

Instagram Shopping feature that has been recently added for users to shop through.

Forbes reports current consumers are much more complex than before and retailers must begin testing and studying new formats to attract their customers by understanding what they want. This shows how owners of curated online businesses have always come up with different ideas and products so they could be distinguished among others. These curated online businesses also usually sell a variety of items such as, pre-loved clothes, crochet bags, accessories and even customized art pieces.

Pre-loved clothes that can be found on Instagram from a small online thrift store.

Source: Darimarivintage on Instagram

Self-curated tops and jeans sold at an affordable price on Instagram.

Source: WearandPose on Instagram

Pastel customized accessories catered for youth.

Source: TheMessyClub on Instagram

Macy Loh, 21, owner of FluffyBalls, an online business that sells handmade crochet pieces says, “I opened up my own online handmade business through Instagram during the first MCO in November of 2020. During that time, I had lots of free time so I decided to pick up my hobby and earn extra income.”

Fluffyballs.My, a curated online store that makes handmade crochet pieces.

Source: Fluffyballs.My on Instagram

Macy Loh, 21, a professional ballet dancer and the owner of FluffyBalls.My

Source: Instagram

Handmade crochet items that were made by Macy for her customers.

Source: Fluffyballs.My on Instagram

Loh is interested in making knitted and crochet items, transforming them into modern accessories.

Source: Fluffyballs.My on Instagram

Loh is not the only one who has set foot in the online business world for her benefit. Vulcan Post also reported that Jessica Lee, founder of Thriftfitts, started her own curated lingerie store on Instagram during MCO because she realized that lingeries is expensive and she wanted to create her own for her customers so it would be affordable for them.

Loh also says, “I wanted to start this business because I found that I have an interest in the crochet and knitting community. I enjoyed handmade items and I realized that many people didn’t know that traditional knitting can make so many modern types of accessories.”

According to Ced Commerce, the benefits of having an online business would include low operation cost, 24/7 availability and especially, better customer service.

“My online business is not my full-time job as I am a professional ballet teacher who will usually be at her studio. I will take custom crochet orders during my free time but I do have a partner who helps in the customer service section,” Loh says.

Loh says, “Many small business owners are trying their best to get exposure online because in this era, most people shop online and they would search online for an individual’s brand to know more in depth.”

Current curated online stores will also be given a spot as a vendor at art and fashion events hosted. Recently, an event, ‘Re Love Market: Messier Things’, happened at Taman Paramount where small businesses were given the opportunities to showcase their curated items for customers which fits the theme of the event.

The poster for the Relove Market event hosted by The Messy Club, another curated art online business.

Source: The Messy Club on Instagram

The Messy Club Pop Up is known to be an art and fashion event for small businesses to showcase their creation.

Source: Instagram

“For small online businesses like myself, if there are any events or special occasions, the hosts would usually reach us through our Instagram. There are times we would not get a spot in the event as there are many other curated online businesses who want to take this as an opportunity for them to expose their brand and get feedback regarding their self-created products,” she said.