Brixy

FOR RETAILERS, BRIXY PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME PART OF A UNITED FRONT OF INDEPENDENT STORES THAT ARE ALL ABOUT BABIES.

For retailers, Brixy presents an opportunity to become part of a united front of independent stores that are all about babies. We understand the struggles you face as a business owner, and we want to not only expand your visibility to new moms and dads, but help you compete with big-name vendors.

1. Lower your operating expenses
At Brixy, we’ve partnered with BizUnite to give our members access to discounts on many of their overhead costs. BizUnite negotiates discounts on operating expenses such as credit card processing, office supplies, payroll processing and more on behalf of over 900,000 retailers and wholesalers across the country, giving our members access to far greater discounts than they can get on their own. In fact, average savings for Brixy retailers are $4,000 on credit card processing and $800 on workers’ compensation insurance – just to name a few!

Most of our members are able to pay for their Brixy membership dues on the discounts they receive from BizUnite alone! This partnership not only allows Brixy members to cut costs, but to boost sales. With access to BizUnite’s financing services, some of our members have been able to increase their sales by more than $10,000 per month.

2. Benefit from exclusive deals and programs
As a national network, we have the chops to make deals with manufacturers and distributors so you can take advantage of the same discounts that chains rely on. We’ve built partnerships with more than 100 manufacturers, including HALO, Romina, Colgate, Chicco, Nuna and other leading baby gear and furniture brands to give you access to programs that can increase your profit margins and help you provide the best baby products for your customers.

But that’s not all. We also work with brands to develop unique products that are only available through Brixy retailers, whether they’re existing baby gear in distinctive colors or brand new baby products being launched exclusively through Brixy stores. In 2014, we’ll also be introducing a line of Brixy branded baby products all of our stores. We’re starting with the launch of our Brixy Basics a bedding collection in March, and Brixy furniture collections will follow in the fall.

3. Tap into a community of retailers who really understand your concerns
As much as you love chatting away with customers, when it comes to the day-to-day challenges of running your shop, who do you have to talk to? At Brixy, we can help you connect with other retailers who have been in your situation and can provide timely, accurate responses to all of your questions.

For example, we have a private group on Facebook for Brixy retailers where more than 200 members turn to share ideas, answer questions and source products. We also host in-person events at major trade?shows, so you can meet face to face to dish on your favorite baby gear finds or simply catch up!

4. Get help driving traffic into your store
Just like buying groups such as ACE Hardware and True Value, we’re working to build awareness about all things Brixy in order to send new moms and dads straight to your store. By establishing Brixy retailers as industry experts, we are letting new parents know exactly what they can expect when they visit a Brixy store: high quality baby products and plenty of real life expertise! Our new website is geared toward moms- and dads-to-be, providing a one stop shop for buying guides, checklists, teething tips and answers to every parenting question in the book. With our Brixy store registry and locator, anyone who visits Brixy.com will know exactly where to go for the best baby products and customer service.

What you need to become a Brixy store
To join the Brixy community, your store must meet the following requirements:
• Be privately held with owners who are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the retail store
• Have a brick and mortar store (more than just a warehouse) in a retail area with a bona fide retail staff, cash wrap, exterior retail signage, etc.
• Have been open for three years
• Complies with Brixy’s online selling policy; contact '+'membership@brixy.com' + ''; // --> for details
• Have at least 75% of its square footage dedicated to an assortment from the following five categories: furniture, bedding, gear, toys & gifts and clothing
• Have at least 90% of its assortment be new goods, not used
• Have no more than 30% of its sales from the clothing category
• Generate at least 50% of its annual revenues through its brick and mortar storefront.
• If your store was a member in good standing of Baby News, BFPA, NINFRA or USA Baby as of December 31, 2012, you can automatically be grandfathered into the Brixy network, too. Just contact us to get the ball rolling.

How to apply to the Brixy network
If you are eligible to join our network of independent baby stores, simply fill out our membership form! Here is the link to the form: https://brixyshops.wufoo.com/forms/zl027q001csvxs/

We’ll get back to you within two weeks to let you know if your store has been approved. Then, you’ll get a welcome call from Christi Connors, our Manager of Member Services, to help you make the most of your Brixy membership!