Bulletin offers new retail space rental concept

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Jul 19, 2017

Bulletin is a Y Combinator startup that is taking advantage of retail closures and leasing hot retail real estate to digitally-native brands in a flea market model.

Founded by Alana Branston and Ali Kriegsman, the New York-based team has been operating a temporary location in SoHo and another in Brooklyn. Future plans include adding two more New York spaces this year and opening a Los Angeles space next year.

Branston and Kriegsman applied to the fellowship program, which used to be offered by startup accelerator Y Combinator. Branston explained the effect of the three month program, which pushed the team to explore different business models.

She said they received $20,000 and worked with one of Y Combinator's partners. "We quit our jobs and Skyped with him every week."

The team's research helped them learn that online brands wanted to have more opportunities to sell in person. Bulletin was born out of the concept of a flea market, where a vendor could rent a space long term for a minimal investment and get their product in front of consumers.

Branston explained how retail closures are helping their business. As landlords are facing increased vacancies, Bulletin is in a position to negotiate good terms for its own leases. With respect to the brands Bulletin carries, Branston said, "It’s expensive but brands pay us from $300 to $2,000 a month, with two months up front, plus 30% of sales."

While Bulletin offers a retail space desired by the brands, it also has an e-commerce platform where customers can buy and ship from the stores. Unlike single brand pop-ups, Bulletin comes with a multi-brand experience surrounded by female empowerment.

Brands are chosen based on the Bulletin target customer as well as having a large social following. Bulletin's Williamsburg store hosts "Write Night" every Thursday where women can come and have a glass of wine and write their representatives. Bulletin also donates 10% of sales to Planned Parenthood.

Bulletin's future plans include a wellness concept store as well as a baby and mother concept store.