Toronto-based retailer BRIKA, profiled last week on Retail Insider, has acquired Sonder Mill, a curated peer-to-peer online marketplace for furniture and housewares based out of Toronto. It marks the first major acquisition for BRIKA, which is both an e-commerce company and bricks-and-mortar retail concept that sells crafted goods from the artisan and designer community.

*BRIKA store on Queen St. West in Toronto.*

“There is a consistent demand for beautifully designed furniture – and a community of talented Makers who supply the highest quality product in this category,” said Jennifer Lee Koss, BRIKA’s co-founder. “The furniture category is one that BRIKA has always wanted to delve into and aligning with a like-minded, Toronto-based entrepreneur was just the catalyst we needed.”

“BRIKA and Sonder Mill share the same vision for the future of craft retail,” said Sonder Mill Founder Scott Miller. “Expert product selection by way of staying true to quality craftsmanship is a must, and the reason our artisans and customers continue to resonate with our brands.”

Sonder Mill’s community of 'Makers' and products will be folded into BRIKA’s website and retail spaces, significantly broadening the scope of products offered and wholesale opportunities for artisans. “We are building a one-stop destination for only the most talented designers and their goods,” said Ms. Koss. “From the brand to the business, we see this acquisition as being a strategic move for us that will continue to expand BRIKA and fuel our future growth, both online and in-store.”

BRIKA was founded four years ago as a pureplay online retailer, sells unique crafted products from "the most talented, authentic artisans and makers", according to the company. BRIKA now has two permanent Toronto retail locations as well as a series of pop-ups in partnership with Oxford Properties, and the retailer is also launching online through a variety of retailers, including Lord & Taylor in the United States. The company was founded by Jennifer Lee Koss, a Harvard MBA graduate and Kena Paranjape, a University of Toronto MBA graduate, former retail buyer and blogger.

BRIKA is launching a series of pop-ups in time for the winter holidays, offering curated shopping experiences to help with gifting. For more information, visit: www.brika.com.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: September 29, 2016