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Courtesy Nordstrom
Retail is one of the most disruptive industries in business.
Thanks to e-commerce, mobile commerce, and changing consumer preferences, the industry is changing like never before.
We selected 35 companies that are revolutionizing the space. These businesses are leaving a permanent mark on the way people run errands, shop, and eat.
From an established e-commerce giant deploying drones to an inventive new pizza chain, here are the consumer companies making big impacts.
Augment is trailblazing in simulated reality, a necessity in today's world of e-commerce.
Why it's revolutionary: Augment creates instant, 3D models of products people want to buy and helps them determine if it's what they really want. The company has an app which allows customers to visualize how large items like furniture would look in their homes.
Michael Kors surpassed luxury powerhouses in just a few years by focusing on the right market segment.
Why it's revolutionary:Through difficult economic times, the brand has excelled because it has stayed focused on the market's sweet spot—people with money who aren't rich yet. Michael Kors recently surpassed Ralph Lauren in value and has inspired collections from brands like Tory Burch and Coach.
Storenvy allows independent vendors to open and customize their own virtual shops.
Why it's revolutionary: While big-budget companies can afford to make e-commerce sites special, smaller businesses often don't have that luxury. Storenvy creates a more level playing field by allowing its 75,000 vendors to personalize their online stores.
Amazon is redefining e-commerce through fast-delivery drones.
This undated image provided by Amazon.com shows the so-called Prime Air unmanned aircraft project that Amazon is working on in its research and development labs.
AP/Amazon
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Year founded: 1994
Why it's revolutionary: Amazon is experimenting with drones that will deliver packages within 30 minutes. CEO Jeff Bezos expects the drones to be fully autonomous and in operation within four or five years. This stunning development shows that Amazon continues to pioneer e-commerce.
Why it's revolutionary:RetailMeNot is the largest digital coupon site in the world. In the past year, the company updated its app to include location-based offers for retailers ranging from Sephora to Target. RetailMeNot is expected to grow to include even more companies since launching its successful IPO last summer.
Abine keeps online shoppers' data safe and secure.
Abine
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts
Year founded: 2008
Why it's revolutionary: Founded by MIT engineers, Abine lets shoppers use a "fake" credit card that masks consumer data from potential hackers. The company also started DoNotTrackMe, a free browser add-on that keeps companies from gathering personal information on consumers. In the wake of the Target data breach and others, Abine's services are especially important.
The Container Store is thriving with an unorthodox strategy.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Headquarters: Coppell, Texas
Year founded: 1978
Why it's revolutionary: The Container Store offers unusually good benefits to workers, and it shows. The store's customer service is considered to be among the best in the retail industry. The company also works to make sure that the in-store experience can't be replicated online.
Harry's offers high-quality shaving products for below drugstore pricing.
Harry's
Headquarters: New York City
Year founded: 2013
Why it's revolutionary: Warby Parker co-founder Jeff Raider and his friend Andy Katz-Mayfield were inspired to sell high-quality razors at cheap prices after too many frustrating visits to the drug store. The result was Harry's. The company evidently struck a chord. It raised $122.5 million in its first year and even bought the German razor factory that manufactures its products.
Niman Ranch is a pioneer in the natural meat industry.
Why it’s revolutionary: Niman Ranch has been at the forefront of the movement toward free-range, antibiotic-free meat in the U.S. for the last four decades. The company, known for its quality and taste, supplies pork and beef to high-end chefs and large restaurant chains including Chipotle and Chop’t.
Olapic converts customer's social media photos into marketing.
Why it's revolutionary: Olapic implements shoppers' Instagram photos onto brand sites like West Elm, making it possible for retail companies to connect with shoppers. The brand is also leading the charge on how to use Instagram to drive sales.
Cricket's Circle is simplifying the shopping process for new parents.
Why it's revolutionary:Cricket's Circle, founded by Rachel Blumenthal, acts as an advocate for expectant parents. After joining for free, expectant mothers can get recommendations for items at different price points. They can also read candid reviews from others who have tried the products. "I think a lot of retailers prey on the anxiety that new mothers have," Blumenthal said. "We wanted to create an environment that was similar to how a friend would talk to you."
Applebee's killed the most annoying thing about eating out.
Courtesy of Applebee's
Headquarters: Kansas City, Missouri.
Year founded: 1980
Why it's revolutionary: Applebee's is addressing customers' least favorite thing about eating out—waiting for the check. The casual restaurant will have tablets in all its stores by the end of 2014, meaning that customers can immediately pay and leave. Now, companies like Buffalo Wild Wings are following suit.
Joor is transforming how the fashion industry orders and manages inventory.
Why it’s revolutionary: Joor is online community for fashion brands and buyers. The website has completely changed how designers manage their wholesale orders and inventory by providing insight into sales flow and demand for buyers. Brands using the app include Diane von Furstenberg, Rag & Bone, Vince, John Varvatos, and Joie.
AdoreMe offers direct-to-consumer lingerie at a friendly price point.
Business Insider
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Year founded: 2012
Why it's revolutionary: AdoreMe sells high-quality lingerie at a lower price than Victoria's Secret. AdoreMe's designer used to lead the design team at Victoria's Secret, meaning that the aesthetic is very similar. The company raised $8.5 million in funding last year.
Zola is upending the traditional wedding registry.
Why it’s revolutionary: Zola is a wedding registry website that offers far more than your traditional selection of crock pots and bakeware. Zola also allows couples to register for experiences, like a wine tasting tour or a yoga membership, as well as honeymoon or cash funds. To make things easier for big-ticket items, Zola also allows for “group gifting” so individuals can contribute variable amounts of money to more expensive items.
Hail Merry is a leader in natural foods.
Hail Merry
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Year founded: 2008
Why it's revolutionary: Hail Merry, started by a group of Dallas women in 2008, provides gluten-free, non-GMO desserts like macaroons and tarts. It was one of the first companies to create natural foods on a large scale.
Forever 21 is completely changing how the teen retail industry works.
Ashley Lutz/Business Insider
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Year founded: 1984
Why it's revolutionary:The fast fashion brand's sales increased 82% from 2007 to 2012, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, classic teen retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, and Aeropostale struggle to connect with customers. Forever 21 has stayed ahead by capitalizing on teen trends with lightning speed. Now, Abercrombie & Fitch has announced it plans to go to more of a fast-fashion model for its Hollister brand.
Why it's revolutionary: Origami Owl provides jewelry to independent associates who buy items at a discount and then sell them to customers at private parties. The company was founded by 14-year-old Bella Weems, and is still run by her family. The company hit $250 million in revenue last year.
Why it's revolutionary: Starbucks purchased Teavana for more than $600 million in 2012. Now, the company is opening tea cafes similar to the brand's coffee chains. "We believe the tea category is ripe for reinvention and rapid growth. The Teavana acquisition now positions us to disrupt and lead, just as we did with espresso starting three decades ago,” Starbucks CEO Howard Schultzsaid.
Family Video found a way to make media rental businesses thrive.
Why it's revolutionary: Blockbuster recently closed all its stores. Meanwhile, Family Video has boasted positive sales and recently opened 18 locations. The company's secret? Focusing on its brick-and-mortar strategy and giving customers a reason to come in to rent movies. Customers at Family Video pay less than $3 for a rental. The chain also has negotiable late fees and free movie rentals for children.
Beautycounter is making environmentally-friendly cosmetics available to the masses.
Why it's revolutionary: Beautycounter offers cosmetics that are free of the 1,300 ingredients that are banned in Europe. Many of these ingredients are regularly found in U.S. cosmetics. The company sells product online and through consultants. "“Your skin is your largest organ. What you put on it is important,” founder Gregg Renfrew told Vogue.
Nordstrom is leading the charge on uniting online and offline commerce.
Why it's revolutionary: Nordstrom is using real-time data from Pinterest to influence store displays. If items are popular with Nordstrom's 4.5 million Pinterest members, they display them in stores. The company also found a way to profit from showrooming through a partnership with Blue Nile Jewelry. The jewelry company has a showroom kiosk in Nordstrom's bridal department.
Buffalo Wild Wings' innovative business model made it the fastest-growing restaurant in America.
Why it's revolutionary: While many casual restaurants add new menu items to stand out, Buffalo Wild Wings is successful by focusing on the company staples of beer, wings, and sports. The brand is also on the forefront of letting customers customize orders — something that mega-brands like McDonald's are now copying.
American Giant is reviving American manufacturing one sweatshirt at a time.
Why it's revolutionary:American Giant is a direct-to-consumer apparel company that makes high-quality, affordable basics, including hoodies, t-shirts and sweatpants. Their best-selling sweatshirt has been named the “greatest hoodie ever made” and at one point had a four-month waiting list. The company uses four factories in North Carolina and California and pledges to never outsource jobs overseas.
Good Eggs is changing the way people shop for food.
Why it’s revolutionary: Good Eggs delivers locally-produced food to consumers through a network of farmers in four cities. Consumers can seamlessly order farm-fresh goods on Good Eggs’ website, and even select which farms they want to buy the goods from. Then Good Eggs delivers the food to consumers or packages it for pickup.
ShopRunner is doing away with long shipping waits and charges.
Why it’s revolutionary: ShopRunner is a members-only delivery service that provides free, 2-day shipping on orders from more than 80 retail sites, including Neiman Marcus, Toys ‘R’ Us, Brooks Brothers and PetSmart. The service, which costs $79 annually, also provides unlimited free returns.
Weddington Way is changing the way women shop for bridesmaid dresses.
Ilana Stern (right) is the CEO and founder of Weddington Way
Ilana Stern via Twitter
Headquarters: San Francisco, Calif.
Year founded: 2011
Why it's revolutionary: Weddington Way is a marketplace for bridesmaids dresses that allows groups to select, share, like, and comment on different gowns. Brides can also order the gowns through the website, as well as order fabric swatches.
Why it’s revolutionary: Gap’s Athleta offers fitness apparel at lower prices than trendy Lululemon and has one of the most lenient return policies of any other retailer. The company accepts any item, for any reason at any time. Athleta also offers a variety of fitness events, including yoga and pilates, in stores.
ShopKick makes shopping more rewarding.
iTunes
Headquarters: Redwood City, Calif.
Year founded: 2009
Why it’s revolutionary: ShopKick is an app that rewards shoppers with points just for walking into stores, scanning products, or making purchases. The points build up to create gift cards, making shopping a much more rewarding experience.
Blaze Pizza is revolutionizing how people order pizza.
Why it’s revolutionary: Blaze Pizza is often referred to as the “Chipotle” of pizza chains. Like Chipotle, the fast casual chain has an assembly line of ingredients that allows customers to build their own pies from dozens of choices between crusts, sauces and toppings.
Bloomingdale's has solved a huge problem for department stores.
Daniel Goodman / Business Insider
Headquarters: New York, N.Y.
Year founded: 1860
Why it’s revolutionary: Bloomingdale’s recently found a way to prevent customers from buying garments for a special event and then returning them the next day. The retailer keeps some garments tagged with a black plastic device after they have been sold. Once shoppers have removed the tag, it cannot be reattached and they can’t return the item.
Publitas has found a way to make print catalogues more profitable.
Why it's revolutionary: Hybris is a company that helps retailers manage check-out transactions with multiple devices. In other words, this technology is helping retailers replace clunky cash registers with mobile devices.
Fancy has seamlessly integrated online shopping and social media.
Why it’s revolutionary: Fancy allows its more than seven million users to engage in socially oriented shopping through Pinterest-like picture feeds and sharing.
Hampton Creek has reinvented the egg.
Hampton Creek
Headquarters: San Francisco, Calif.
Year founded: 2011
Why it's revolutionary:Hampton Creek has created a line of plant-based substitutes for eggs that have similar nutritional values to the real thing. The company is currently selling two products that are typically contain eggs: mayonnaise and cookie dough. It has also developed a powdered egg replacement that isn't yet for sale.
You've seen the companies revolutionizing the future of retail...
