JuniperMarket opens for business

New ecommerce platform powered by IMC connects buyers and sellers anytime, everywhere.

“The next era of wholesale buying and selling is here,” said Juniper CEO Bill Furlong, as the digital marketplace officially opened. “This transformation is inspired by our team’s deep roots in the industries Juniper serves and the unmatched reach of IMC buyer and seller relationships. Today is a major step towards a digital marketplace that helps buyers and sellers discover, connect and transact — in person or online — seamlessly bridging physical and digital sales.”

IMC CEO Bob Maricich added, “In January 2020, we announced the investment to build Juniper, and since then — despite unprecedented business disruptions — the Juniper team has forged ahead, onboarding more than 220 staff members to build, test, market and optimize a tool that is truly built for the industry, by the industry. The launch of JuniperMarket is a major milestone in delivering additional market opportunity and value for IMC customers.”

JuniperMarket launches with a breadth and depth of gift, home and lifestyle product from many of the most trusted brands in the marketplace. Beyond the core, specialty categories including seasonal, housewares/gourmet and fashion accessories have a strong and rapidly expanding presence on the platform. The mix of established and emerging independent brands and sales agencies mirrors at-market sourcing channels, encouraging buyers not only to expand relationships with proven product from current vendors but also to discover new suppliers. New sellers and new products are added daily to JuniperMarket, keeping offerings fresh year-round, and enabling buyers to diversify assortments and maintain a competitive edge in their stores.

The platform also connects to IMC’s 26 physical trade shows and buying events. In 2021, Juniper’s at-market activities generated more than 26,000 pre-registered JuniperMarket users, with a direct pipeline to IMC’s 600,000-plus database of qualified retailers and designers offering sellers even broader exposure and sales opportunity. Optimized Atlanta Market, Atlanta Apparel, High Point Market, Las Vegas Apparel and Las Vegas Market websites — which receive some 5.5. million visitors per year — provide additional visibility for the sellers currently participating in both IMC’s physical and digital markets.

JuniperMarket is a sales-agency-inclusive B2B marketplace experience. Sellers can assign buyers a representative to discuss merchandise selection and get assistance with payments, shipping and other logistics. This key functionality ultimately grows sellers’ businesses without disrupting or excluding a vital part of the industry model and provides the personalized customer service buyers expect from their vendors.

“We know from years of experience in wholesale, and from extensive research in our vertical industries, that relationships are the fuel for B2B commerce,” said Maricich. “JuniperMarket is built to be inclusive to sales reps and truly additive and flexible for all.”

JuiperMarket’s design is inspired by the industries it serves. For buyers, the integrated platform — including a single shopping cart split by brand, universal payment capabilities, access to JuniperCredit for Net 60 terms, shipping and tracking tools and connections to sales representatives — facilitates shopping. Product discovery also is simplified with brand, product and keyword searches, and the ability to favorite items and “pin” them to sharable boards. For sellers, the buyer pre-qualification process mirrors that of the physical markets and maintains the platform’s wholesale integrity, enabling suppliers to focus on selling rather than on buyer credentialing. In concert with physical markets, sellers also have the choice to qualify JuniperMarket buyers and set unique, buyer-specific wholesale pricing.

Unique tools make online sales through JuniperMarket accessible to brands and buyers of all levels. JuniperCredit, launched simultaneously with JuniperMarket, allows brands to offer Net 60 terms and receive payment in as few as two days. For buyers, JuniperCredit offers credit limits up to $250,000 (after an approval process) that can be used across multiple vendors to simplify credit management. JuniperMarket’s exclusive shipping and tracking capabilities enable buyers to take advantage of special discounts and to easily track product shipment status.

There is total integration between JuniperMarket and the compatible JuniperCommerce suite of SaaS tools for sales automation and commerce. With tools for building a proprietary B2B website, sharing and syndicating product data, supporting sales representatives and managing leads and customers, JuniperCommerce provides small and mid-size brands with omnichannel sales and marketing tools for business growth on a previously unattainable level.

“JuniperMarket and JuniperCommerce together create an unprecedented commerce ecosystem which simplifies wholesale connections and transactions, transforming our industry and giving buyers and sellers a better chance to win,” added Furlong.

Attendees at Atlanta Market and Las Vegas had the opportunity to interact with Juniper through a series of events. JuniperMarket hosts Market Kickoff events, panel discussion “Bringing Your Business Digital — It’s Easier Than You Think” and JuniperMarket Experience Centers for current users and new registrants in both cities. JuniperCommerce showrooms also are available at both markets for brands looking to join the platform or to learn more about Juniper’s full suite of SaaS tools.