faire.com

What is Faire.com

Faire is an online wholesale marketplace, set up in 2017 with the aim of helping independent retailers and small brands get better access to each other. (faire.com)
In short: retailers get a platform to discover brands and buy inventory at wholesale; brands (makers, manufacturers, small businesses) can list their products and reach retailers globally. (faire.com)
It bridges the gap between the old-school wholesale model (with trade shows, big distributors) and something more digital and accessible.

Key numbers:

• Over 100,000 brands selling via Faire. (faire.com)

• Thousands of retailers (70,000+ cities referenced). (faire.com)

• Available in North America, Europe and other regions. (faire.com)

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How Faire works (for both sides)

For Retailers

If you run a shop (brick-and-mortar or online) and are looking for inventory:

• You sign up (there’s a free membership to join). (faire.com)

• You browse independent brands’ products across many categories: home décor, apparel, food & drink, pet supplies, etc. (faire.com)

• There are benefits: flexible payment terms (for example “net 60” — meaning you buy now, pay later) for qualified retailers. (faire.com)

• First orders with a brand often have free returns (depending on the region) so you can test stock with less risk. (faire.com)

For Brands / Makers

If you’re a brand and want to wholesale your products:

• You apply, set up a “storefront” within Faire where you list your products, set your wholesale pricing, shipping terms, etc. (Wholesale In a Box)

• Faire handles many technical/operational elements: payment processing, some shipping integrations, exposure to the retailer-buyer base. (faire.com)

• Fees/commissions apply: for example, for new-customer orders through the marketplace there is a commission, plus payment processing fees depending on how fast you want payout. (faire.com)

• Integration with platforms: If you use Shopify, Faire offers a channel app so you can sync inventory/orders. (Shopify Help Center)

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Key features that stand out

• Global reach: Because the platform brings together brands and retailers across regions, a small brand can reach more stores than perhaps they could alone.

• Lower minimums / flexibility: For retailers it’s easier to test new brands/products without enormous minimum orders (though specifics depend on the brand). (faire.com)

• Data & analytics tools: For brands, Faire provides dashboards to track how products are performing, orders, etc. (Cahoot.ai)

• Events (virtual markets): Faire runs “Faire Markets” — online buying events where retailers can find deals and brands can showcase products. (faire.com)

• Support for small & independent businesses: Faire’s stated mission is to level the playing field (for retailers and brands) relative to large players. (faire.com)

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Advantages (what makes it appealing)

• For a retailer: Access a broad selection of independent brands (often unique or niche) in one place versus sourcing each brand individually.

• For a brand: Lower barrier to entry into wholesale, especially if you don’t already have many retail accounts; you get a storefront + exposure + infrastructure.

• The “first order free returns” (for many brands) helps retailers feel safer about trying something new.

• The net-payment terms (for retailers) help cash flow: buy inventory and pay later.

• For growth-oriented brands: Access to data and analytics means you can track what’s working and scale accordingly.

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Limitations / Risks (what to watch out for)

• The fees/commissions: Some makers point out that commissions (especially for initial orders) plus processing fees can take a significant cut. (Wholesale In a Box)

• Margin pressure: Because you’re entering a marketplace environment with competition, you may have to price accordingly, which could squeeze margins if your costs are high. (Navigate the Noise)

• Dependence on marketplace traffic: For brands, relying solely on the marketplace is risky. One review recommends not using it as your only channel. (Navigate the Noise)

• For retailers: While many brands are independent and interesting, vetting product quality remains important (some reviewers caution that if you’re not doing your homework, you might end up with products that don’t perform). (luckybreakconsulting.com)

• Shipping/fulfillment complexity: Especially if brands are distributed globally, international shipping, duties, returns may add complexity.

• Platform dynamics: As Faire grows, the marketplace becomes more competitive. Brands must stand out. Also, changes in fee structure (payout speed, commissions) can change economics. (Wholesale In a Box)

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Is Faire right for you? (Retailer vs. Brand perspective)

Retailer viewpoint

If you run a retail business and want to source interesting products, expand your offerings, get access to wholesalers without large minimums, Faire looks like a strong option. The key is: you still need to do product vetting, ensure inventory fits your customers, and manage ordering/reorders and margin. The free-returns first order is a bonus.
If your business is very niche or local, you’ll also want to compare other sourcing strategies (local makers, trade shows) and see how Faire fits.

Brand viewpoint

If you are a brand that hasn’t yet built large wholesale channels, Faire can open doors. It helps you get exposure to many retailers. But you must treat it as one channel — not the only channel. You also need to keep an eye on how the economics work: commission, cost of goods, shipping, customer service, returns.
You’ll want to build relationships with retailers you gain via Faire so you’re not solely dependent on marketplace listings. Also make sure your product is ready for wholesale (packaging, shipping, terms) and that your margins work under the marketplace structure.

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Key takeaways

• Faire is a wholesale marketplace connecting independent brands and retailers globally.

• Retailers benefit from wide brand selection, flexible payment terms, and test-first opportunities.

• Brands benefit from exposure, infrastructure, and global reach — but must manage fees, margins, and multi-channel strategy.

• The platform is especially useful for small/independent businesses wanting to scale or diversify sourcing/distribution.

• It isn’t a magic bullet: success still depends on product-fit, margin control, marketing, and execution.

• Be aware of the costs (commission, processing, shipping) and treat it as one channel among others.

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FAQ

Q: Are there fees to join as a brand on Faire?
A: No upfront setup fees for many brands. But Faire does take commission on orders placed via its marketplace. (faire.com)

Q: As a retailer, do I have to pay to browse and order?
A: Generally, no membership fee to join and browse, though specific promotions/terms may vary by region. (Faire advertises “free to join”.)

Q: What are the minimum order quantities?
A: One of Faire’s selling points is lower minimums for many brands (so retailers can test). But exact minimums depend on each brand. (faire.com)

Q: How quickly do brands get paid after an order ships on Faire?
A: It depends on the payout terms selected. For example, next-day payout is possible but with higher processing fees; 30- or 60-day payout options have lower fees. (faire.com)

Q: Can I integrate my existing e-commerce platform with Faire?
A: Yes — for example, brands using Shopify can integrate with Faire to sync inventory/orders. (Shopify Help Center)

Q: Is this platform good only for U.S./North America businesses?
A: No — Faire is available in multiple countries (US, Canada, UK, Europe) and supports international transactions. But shipping/logistics and local terms vary by region. (faire.com)