VILLOID Company Profile

Background

VILLOID is a prominent fashion e-commerce platform headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Established in 2015, the company has rapidly evolved to become a significant player in the online fashion retail sector. VILLOID's mission is to offer a curated selection of fashion items, emphasizing up-and-coming brands, Scandinavian design, and sustainable operations. The platform aims to make e-commerce more environmentally friendly while enabling its community to express themselves through fashion and lifestyle choices.

Key Strategic Focus

VILLOID's strategic focus centers on:

Curated Fashion Selection: Offering a diverse range of products from over 650 well-known high street and high-end brands, including Topshop, Converse, Acne, Isabel Marant, Agent Provocateur, Ray-Ban, Jimmy Choo, Chloé, and Miu Miu.

Sustainability: Implementing eco-friendly practices to minimize the environmental impact of e-commerce operations.

Community Engagement: Building a vibrant community where users can create style boards, follow and communicate with other fashion enthusiasts, and shop for items they love.

Financials and Funding

VILLOID has secured multiple funding rounds to support its growth:

August 2017: Raised NOK 13 million (approximately $1.7 million) from Swedish angel investors Mikael Randel and Andreas Randel, as well as from Investinor.

April 2019: Completed a NOK 5.87 million (approximately $690,000) equity crowdfunding campaign via Dealflow.

September 2020: Entered into a strategic investment agreement with Norwegian fashion retailer Varner, raising NOK 12 million (approximately $1.3 million). Post-transaction, Varner controlled 13% of VILLOID's equity shares.

March 2023: Raised $2.4 million in a funding round.

As of September 2024, VILLOID's annual revenue reached $1.8 million, with approximately 46 employees across Europe.

Technological Platform and Innovation

VILLOID leverages a robust technological infrastructure to enhance user experience and operational efficiency:

E-commerce Platform: Utilizes Shopify for its online store operations.

Content Delivery and Security: Employs Cloudflare for content management and security measures.

Analytics and User Engagement: Integrates Facebook Pixel for analytics and user engagement tracking.

User Interface Enhancements: Implements AOS (Animate On Scroll) for dynamic user interface elements.

Security Measures: Incorporates hCaptcha and reCAPTCHA to ensure platform security.

Social Media Integration: Uses Instafeed to integrate Instagram content into the platform.

Leadership Team

Jarle Snertingdalen: Co-Founder, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Operational Manager, and Chairman. Jarle has been instrumental in steering VILLOID's financial and operational strategies since its inception.

Andreas Kristiansen: Chief Marketing Officer. Andreas oversees the company's marketing initiatives, focusing on brand growth and customer engagement.

Alexa Chung: Co-Founder. Alexa, a renowned model and fashion designer, has significantly contributed to VILLOID's brand identity and market positioning.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The online fashion retail market is highly competitive, with numerous players offering diverse products and services. VILLOID's focus on curated selections, sustainability, and community engagement positions it uniquely within this landscape.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Lyst: A fashion technology company offering a wide range of products from over 17,000 brands and stores. Lyst provides a personalized shopping experience through its inventory-free platform and proprietary data engine.

Polyvore: A platform that allows users to create and share fashion collages, integrating products from various brands.

Spring: An e-commerce platform offering a wide selection of fashion items from various brands.

The Hunt: A social approach to fashion and style, enabling users to exchange style tips and discover new trends.

ShopStyle: A shopping platform that aggregates products from various retailers, allowing users to shop across multiple brands in one place.

21 Buttons: A social-commerce platform where users can share their outfits and earn from sales generated through their posts.

Stylight: A fashion aggregator that combines shopping with editorial content, offering a curated selection of fashion items.

Dash Social: A platform focusing on fashion and lifestyle content, integrating shopping features.

Trendage: A fashion app that uses AI to provide personalized style recommendations.

Keep: A shopping platform that allows users to discover and buy products from various brands.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

VILLOID has engaged in strategic collaborations to enhance its market position:

Varner Group: In September 2020, VILLOID secured NOK 12 million from Varner, a Norwegian fashion retailer, resulting in Varner holding a 13% equity stake in VILLOID.

Influencer Partnerships: The platform has collaborated with influencers like Alexa Chung, Gia Coppola, Anna Z Gray, and Leith Clark to curate online stores within VILLOID, leveraging their reach and credibility to attract a broader audience.

Operational Insights

VILLOID's operational strategy emphasizes:

Curated Product Selection: Offering a carefully selected range of products from both established and emerging brands to cater to diverse customer preferences.

Sustainable Practices: Implementing eco-friendly measures to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.

Community Building: Fostering a vibrant community where users can share style ideas, follow fashion trends, and engage with like-minded individuals.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, VILLOID aims to:

Expand Product Offerings: Introduce new categories and brands to cater to a broader customer base.

Enhance Technological Capabilities: Invest in advanced technologies to improve user experience and operational efficiency.

Strengthen Market Presence: Explore opportunities for market expansion, both geographically and demographically.

Deepen Sustainability Initiatives: Further integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of the business to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly fashion.