How GiftShop is set to revolutionize hospitality venue merchandizing
InterviewsHospitality is one of the key marketing words for 2024. For the launch of our “Hospitality Everywhere” report, we met with GiftShop founder Ben Broca, whose goal is to revolutionize merchandising for the most high-profile restaurants, bars, hotels and hospitality venues!
Hello Ben, please tell us about yourself.
I’m an entrepreneur who’s passionate about innovation and creating solutions that simplify and enhance people’s lives. I was born in Paris and lived in the United States for 14 years, and I’ve been involved in several entrepreneurial ventures. Those businesses included the social media app sector, interior design, and more recently CloudKitchens, which helps restaurants optimize their delivery strategy. Currently I’m the CEO of GiftShop, a startup I founded to revolutionize the world of high-quality merchandising.
What is GiftShop and how did you come up with the idea for this service?
GiftShop is a platform that helps brands design, produce and distribute high-end physical products. The idea came from my own experience in various industries where I observed a growing need for brands to differentiate themselves and create stronger connections with their communities. GiftShop was born from this vision; it’s a turnkey solution for brands to easily launch beautiful products that speak directly to their audience.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
In major cities around the world, we've seen hospitality venues (sometimes with long histories) become very strong, cool brands with highly engaged communities. How do you explain this relatively recent phenomenon?
The phenomenon can be explained by consumers’ evolving expectations. People today are looking for authentic, personalized experiences that create emotional connections. Hospitality venues, with their history and uniqueness, perfectly meet this need. No longer just service spaces, they have become full-fledged brands that have a strong identity and an engaged community around their values and history.
What characterizes this new type of hospitality brand? What makes them strong?
This new type of hospitality brand is characterized by the ability to create memorable and meaningful experiences for customers. Their strength lies in their authenticity, history and customer-centric approach. They successfully establish a strong emotional bond with their audience, transforming each interaction into a unique and personalized experience.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
How can other brands (such as luxury, fashion or even consumer goods) be inspired by them?
Other brands can draw inspiration by focusing on authenticity and the customer experience. This involves creating products and services that tell a story, convey strong values and spark dialogue with the community. By adopting a more personal approach and focusing on creating memorable experiences, brands can strengthen their connection with customers and stand out.
What is the latest hospitality concept that has amazed you and why?
Recently I was particularly impressed by Le Cheval d’Or, launched by the extremely talented Hanz Gueco. It elegantly blends French gastronomic classics with Asian influences, all in a very pleasant setting with a lovely staff. It was a superb experience and one of my favorites of the year.
What will GiftShop be like in five or 10 years?
GiftShop’s goal, in five years as in 10, is to simplify the creation of high-quality products. We want to provide access to design services on par with the best agencies and production methods that meet the standards of luxury brands; and we want to do that for the widest possible audience.
