The Bazaar

The Bazaar is a leader in buying and distributing brand name wholesale merchandise closeouts. Starting as a family business 60 years ago, it recently went through a transformation to elevate its digital presence. The goal is to become the top choice for retailers seeking branded wholesale closeouts. This ambition led to a comprehensive rebrand and website redesign, which have now improved user experience, streamlined the discovery process, enabled retailers to easily find sellable products, and helped foster long-term customer loyalty.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

We began by diving deep into the project, gaining a thorough understanding of the wholesale buyer's specific needs and behaviors. While at first glance, it might seem like a typical e-commerce website, the wholesale industry has its own unique specifics and requirements. For example, whereas a standard retail shop focuses all its efforts on making the purchase process as smooth and quick as possible, for The Bazaar, the main goal is discovery. Retail buyers often come with a specific item in mind or at least a clear need, but wholesale shopping is all about the hunt for new opportunities, as the products on offer are constantly changing. The first step in enhancing the discovery process was implementing an onboarding sequence that gathered enough information to offer tailored recommendations.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

The website offers two content levels: a basic view for first-time visitors and a detailed view after completing onboarding. With onboarding being the key, this setup ensures we show users products that match their interests and improves the overall shopping experience.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Another distinct aspect is the purchasing timeframe; unlike the quick transactions we're accustomed to in retail, a wholesale order can take weeks to finalize. Retailers spend time meticulously selecting the best options for their stores, making the "My Account" section a critical component of the project. We ensured users could easily complete their orders, create lists for better organization, and reorder successful products.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

However, there's a twist: products don't stay available for long. To ensure our users never miss out, we introduced a notification system. We also added a section on the product pages that provides insights into how popular an item is, helping users understand how quickly they might need to act.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Regarding the UI, the client wanted a modern design that also shows its long history, adding elements that bring out a sense of tradition. We turned the new brand guidelines into a design that mixes a hint of nostalgia with recognition of the company’s long presence in the market, making sure it adds to the user experience without getting in the way.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

On the technology front, we chose Shopify for its versatility and ease of integration. We seamlessly connected it with the client's CRM system, simplifying management for their team. Moving forward, we're committed to maintaining the project and introducing new features, always paying close attention to user feedback and data to guide our improvements.

‍

‍

‍