Among the growing number of players competing on the Russian furniture and home decor online landscape, The Furnish, a site launched last week, demonstrates some originality. It focuses on the premium segment, claiming to be the first online furniture retailer with this specific positioning, and offering items in various styles, from ‘Country’ to ‘Eco-Style’ and from ‘Vintage’ to ‘American bourgeoisie.’
Moreover, The Furnish says it cooperates with a range of top designers who are soon expected to offer their own blog, display their creations on dedicated pages, and interact directly with customers.
The Furnish was founded by two partners, the site’s press service told East-West Digital News. “One of them is Maria Levina, who has a background in consulting, private equity, and e-commerce; the other is a savvy business person who does not wish to be named.”
So far, The Furnish has been funded by its co-founders, who put “up to $1 million” into the business. They do not rule out, however, further funding from external investors.
Even though the company already has the capacity to deliver to St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novogord and a dozen of large Russian cities, its main current focus for growth is Moscow, according to the site’s press service. This follows the strategy of many Russian online retailers.
However, The Furnish could start serving certain regions as soon as 2013.
- RUSSIAN E-COMMERCE REPORT 2012 – The total volume of Russian online retail reached 310 billion rubles, a little more than $10 billion, in 2011, up 25% at least from the previous year. EWDN has published an in-depth research on Russian e-commerce. To receive free insights or to order the full version, please contact us at [email protected].
