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Shopify Collective: The Revolutionary Marketplace of Collaborative Commerce
- MM Team
Shopify Collective is a game-changing platform that is transforming the way merchants do business. It’s an innovative solution that allows Shopify stores to collaborate, creating a powerful network of retailers and suppliers, and we’re here for it.
Forget the traditional complexities of wholesale or the unpredictability of Dropshipping. Collective streamlines the entire process, making it easier than ever to expand your product catalog and reach new audiences.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what Shopify Collective is, how it works, and the benefits it offers both retailers and suppliers.
What is Shopify Collective?
Shopify Collective is an app and sales channel built directly into Shopify, acting as a central hub where verified merchants can partner with each other. This means a retailer can sell products from a supplier’s store and, in return, the supplier can sell their products through the retailer’s storefront, all without the need for complex integrations or third-party logistics.
Unlike traditional dropshipping, which often involves anonymous, overseas suppliers and a lack of control, Collective allows you to foster direct partnerships with other legitimate, established Shopify merchants. This ensures a higher level of trust, quality control, and brand consistency.
The platform is designed to automate the most tedious parts of the dropshipping business model, including:
Inventory syncing: real-time updates prevent overselling
Order routing: Orders are automatically split and sent to the correct supplier for fulfilment
Payment processing: payments between retailers and suppliers are handled seamlessly through Shopify Payments
How it works: The supplier and retailer relationship
The magic of Shopify Collective lies in its simple yet effective dual-role system – suppliers and retailers. A single business can operate as both, maximising opportunities for growth.
For the retailer
As a retailer, your primary goal is to curate a diverse and compelling product offering without the burden of inventory management, and Collective allows you to do just that.
🔎Discover and connect
Browse the Collective marketplace to discover other Shopify stores whose products complement your brand. You can also invite existing partners to join Collective. This isn’t about selling random products but building a cohesive, curated collection that enhances your brand’s appeal.
📥Import products
Once a supplier accepts your partnership request, they’ll share a price list. You can then import their products into your store with just a few clicks, with the product details, including images, descriptions, and pricing, automatically synced. But one of the main benefits is that you maintain full control over the retail price, allowing you to set your own profit margins.
💰Sell and earn
When a customer buys a Collective product from your store, the order is automatically routed to the supplier where they handle the fulfilment, shipping the product directly to your customer. Your role is complete once the order is placed as the supplier does the rest. Shopify Collective ensures you get your share of the revenue, as the payment is automatically processed upon fulfilment.
For the supplier
As a supplier, your focus is on expanding your reach and sales, and Collective turns your retail partners into a new, powerful sales channel.
🌟Get discovered
Make your store discoverable in the Collective marketplace or invite specific retailers you want to work with.
📝Create price lists
Create custom price lists for your retailers, controlling which products they can sell and at what wholesale price – this gives you full control over your brand and margins.
📦Fulfil orders
When a retailer sells one of your products, you receive the order in your Shopify admin, ready to fulfil. You’ll then ship the goods directly to the customer, and Shopify will handle the payment from the retailer. The tracking information is automatically synced back to the retailer’s store, keeping the customer informed.
The benefits
A win-win for all. Shopify Collective offers a host of benefits that make it a truly revolutionary tool for modern e-commerce.
The future of E-commerce is collaborative
Shopify Collective is more than just a new app, it represents a shift towards a more collaborative and interconnected e-commerce landscape. It empowers merchants to work together, leveraging each other’s strengths to achieve shared success. By breaking down the barriers of traditional retail models, Collective allows for creativity, experimentation, and a focus on building genuine, valuable brand partnerships.
If you’re a Shopify merchant looking to expand your offerings or find new distribution channels, Shopify Collective is a must-explore solution. It’s a powerful, native tool that simplifies collaboration and helps you unlock your store’s full potential in a modern, interconnected market.