Customers can buy products from the brand and enjoy wearing matching outfits with t-shirts based on their favorite shoes. Pretty neat!
What Match Kicks is doing great
Match Kicks prioritizes adaptability and innovation. Initially, they managed their entire business in-house. But the brand soon realized operational challenges were getting in the way of growth.
Instead of sticking it out and trying to manage everything alone, they sought an external solution to optimize their process. After discovering Printful and outsourcing shipping and fulfillment, they turned their attention to optimizing their offering and streamlining their business with technology.
Match Kicks worked hard to automate its processes. They managed to offer a staggering 120 million SKUs (unique products) in their store. For the average store owner with a handful of employees, managing inventory at that size is nearly impossible.
What you can learn from Match Kicks
This apparel company is doing a lot of things right, so let’s dive in!
Identify a specific niche: Match Kicks’ long-term success stems from their ability to identify and cater to a unique demand in the market—matching apparel and accessories for popular sneaker models.
Stay flexible and adaptable: Business models shouldn’t be set in stone. Match Kicks realized that in-house printing was not the best route for their t-shirt business, so its willingness to change was crucial for growth.
Take advantage of your strengths: Automation was a key aspect of Match Kicks’ strategy. Their strengths in technology allowed them to find a better way to handle an impressive amount of products, freeing up time for other responsibilities.
Focus on core competencies: Match Kicks realized that their strengths lay in technology, not printing. By working with a POD company, they’ve been able to focus on their passion and drive their business forward in areas Match Kicks already excelled at.
Prioritize quality over cost: Match Kicks understood that even though outsourcing increased costs, the move led to better product quality. The t-shirt business has seen fewer returns and higher customer satisfaction. These factors have improved their bottom line over time.
The story of Match Kicks and their partnership with Printful is a real example of how identifying a niche, leveraging technology and partnerships, and focusing on core strengths can lead to a successful ecommerce business.