Shoppy shop, also known as a boutique grocer, artisanal market or curated mini-mart are small, often independent retail stores that offer unique upscale gourmet foods that are often prepackaged and locally sourced.[1] These fancy pantry foods often feature colorful branded packaging and have aggressive social media advertising campaigns.[1] Compared to traditional retail stores, they offer an alternative shopping experience through a distinctive atmosphere and contribute to the local vibe. Shoppy shops tend to emphasize quality, sustainability, and artisanal small businesses and other hard-to-find or exclusive items that may be gifted.[2]

Shoppy shops commodify authenticity by emphasizing their small boutique nature as a brand strategy and provide startups a physical retail outlet.[3][4][5] In response to Shoopy shop marketing, some private labels have begun rebranding to better match their counterparts.[6]

The term was coined in 2022 by Neil Shankar on TikTok under the username "Tall Neil" and popularized by New York magazine's Grub Street in response to boutiques selling artisanal foods such as olive oil and tinned fish.[7][8] Shnakar described these retail outlets as "a place where you can touch all the products you see on Instagram."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c DeLuca, Stephanie (Feb 8, 2023). "Your guide to the 'shoppy shops' of the Hudson Valley: You know it when you see it, and by 'it' we mean Graza olive oil". Times Union. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. ^ Palmer, Karen (June 14, 2024). "The Calif. neighborhood grocery stores that could replace Trader Joe's". SF Gate. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  3. ^ "The CQ: The Rise of the "Shoppy Shop," powered by Faire". The CQ. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  4. ^ Hawkins, Nick (Aug 17, 2023). "For Startup Food Brands, a Pit Stop at a Shoppy Shop Can Be Their Ticket to Whole Foods, Walmart, and BeyondThe micro-grocery concept is positioning itself as a precursor to the big time, but you'll still need to prove you can build buzz". Inc. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  5. ^ Steffenhagen, Mary; Harris-Perry, Melissa (February 24, 2023). "Your Favorite Small Business Might Not Be So Small - The Takeaway". WNYC Studios. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  6. ^ Schwarz, Hunter (May 31, 2024). "CVS, Walmart, and the rise of private labels as shoppy shop dupes". Fast Company. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  7. ^ Lindsay, Kate (15 March 2023). "Trendspotting with Tall Neil of 'shoppy shop' fame". Embedded. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  8. ^ Sundberg, Emily (25 January 2023). "Welcome to the Shoppy Shop". Grub Street. New York. Retrieved 15 June 2024.