ITOCHU Corporation

The pandemic forced nearly every industry to modernize. For the wholesale industry, the shift was embodied by the adoption of digital solutions that the industry had previously shied away from. With lockdowns shutting down showrooms and tradeshows, two of the primary mechanisms for B2B wholesale commerce to do business, digital platforms that replicated the in-person experience thrived. JOOR is a wholesale management platform and marketplace that connects retailers, vendors, and brands for fashion, luxury, and home goods. The all-in-one platform provides a seamless virtual showroom experience and handles discovery, transactions, and payments. There are over 12,500 brands and 325,000 retailers transacting on the marketplace currently with no signs of slowing down. AlleyWatch caught up with CEO Kristin Savilia to learn more about how the pandemic resulted in an enduring behavioral shift in the wholesale space, the company’s strategic plans, latest round of funding from investors that include Macquarie Capital Principal Finance, ITOCHU Corporation, Battery Ventures, and Canaan Partners.