The Folklore Group today announces the public access launch of The Folklore Connect, its premier wholesale platform for diverse fashion and lifestyle brands in global markets.
Following the successful five-month closed beta test in April with 21 African designer brands, the company is expanding its regional coverage outside of Africa due to high demand from diverse brands in emerging markets such as Latin America and Southeast Asia.
The Folklore Connect provides access to trustworthy global retailers for diverse brands looking to expand their wholesale business locally or internationally. Leading international retail partners have joined the platform, and a carefully vetted selection of boutiques, department stores, and concept stores, including T.A New York and McMullen, are eager to make their product offerings more diverse and inclusive.
In line with The Folklore Group’s initial regional focus, The Folklore Connect platform kicks off with over 60 brands from Africa and the diaspora, including Emmy Kasbit, Orange Culture and Abiola Olusola, all originating from emerging markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and more.
Platform features include virtual brand showrooms, wholesale order management, two-way messaging between brands and retailers, a retailer and brand discovery marketplace and streamlined online payment, with payment providers tailored to the needs of businesses in emerging markets.
The Folklore Group’s secondary platform, The Folklore Marketplace, continues as a consumer shopping aggregator providing an e-commerce shopping directory for consumers to search and shop directly from the retailers stocking their collections.
The Folklore Connect is now live for brands and retailers to join at thefolklore.com.