Cashflow stability helps luxury designer boutique accelerate marketplace growth
Liquidity and predictability drive enhanced sales
Industry
Designer Fashion
Facility limit
Dynamic
Use of funds
Inventory Management
Client Summary
Founded in 1959 by Lia Randi and Giuliano Zabberoni, Julian Fashion remains a family run business based in Emilia Romagna, in the Bologna region of Northern Italy. Whilst the company has seven physical stores, a strategic decision to expand beyond their regional shops was taken in 2014, and they have built a strong eCommerce presence with an international reach. Julian Fashion curate a multi-brand luxury offering, focusing on high-end fashion and designer products. Their value proposition emphasizes quality, curated brand selection, and a strong service experience. They employ around 130 professionals of whom 70% are women.
“We needed a solution that fits our FARFETCH business. FARFETCH CAPITAL’s approach just made sense. The flexibility, speed and extra liquidity they provide, allows us to operate smoothly without exploring other sales channels.”
Sara Coatti, Finance and Control Manager, Julian Fashion.
The Challenge
In 2012 Julian Fashion became a “designer boutique partner” on the FARFETCH marketplace platform, allowing the company’s inventory to reach a wider luxury eCommerce market, across international regions where they did not have an existing presence. Their curated stock now appears across all the FARFETCH channels.
This strategic decision drove incremental revenue year on year, but was not without challenges. Key to success on the marketplace is the early availability of premium stock. This requires cash flow flexibility to pay suppliers early and secure product deliveries ahead of competitors, or risk losing first-to-market advantage.
Obtaining a traditional bank loan was slow and both requirements and outcomes, were rigid - guarantees were required, approval took time and funding was static in a highly seasonal business. Once in place, the banks charged ongoing fees even if the facility was not in use. Additionally, as a decline in consumer demand created a slowdown in the luxury retail sector through 2023-2024, traditional bank funding whilst a bad fit, was also increasingly difficult to secure.
“One of the strongest points in favour of FARFETCH CAPITAL, beyond the flexibility, is the speed at which the financing is provided. They have been a crucial support, enabling us to sell earlier and at better margins.”
Sara Coatti, Finance and Control Manager, Julian Fashion
Our Solution
It was at this point, as Julian Fashion explored ways to improve their cash flow, that they were introduced to FARFETCH CAPITAL (a joint venture between FARFETCH and TradeBridge). With a finance offering designed specifically for FARFETCH sellers, the product stood out for its flexibility, speed and the growth support it could provide.
Flexible, fast access to funds
The partner was onboarded in July 2024, requiring no personal or asset guarantees and providing access to working capital within days through a process that is aligned to sales on the FARFETCH platform.
“One of the strongest points in favour of FARFETCH CAPITAL, beyond the flexibility, is the speed at which the financing is provided. They have been a crucial support, enabling us to sell earlier and at better margins.”
Sara Coatti, Finance and Control Manager, Julian Fashion
Immediate impact on growth
The impact was immediate, with a strong acceleration in unit growth following onboarding. The improved cash flow stability enabled faster merchandise pick-ups, more consistent stock availability and quicker product uploads on the FARFETCH marketplace.
Cash flow stability enabled faster merchandise pick-ups, more consistent stock availability and faster stock upload on the FARFETCH marketplace.
“Using this facility allows us to pay suppliers in advance, which means we receive merchandise before some of our competitors. Being first to publish products on FARFETCH naturally generates a commercial advantage, translating into stronger sales and revenues.”
Sara Coatti, Finance and Control Manager, Julian Fashion.
Enhanced sales figures reflected the improved availability of items.
Accelerated business growth was supported by the predictability of cashflow, sales-linked credit that scales with performance and liquidity aligned with revenue cycles.
“Using this facility allows us to pay suppliers in advance, which means we receive merchandise before some of our competitors. Being first to publish products on FARFETCH naturally generates a commercial advantage, translating into stronger sales and revenues.”
Sara Coatti, Finance and Control Manager, Julian Fashion.
Ready to increase your FARFETCH marketplace growth? Contact your Account Manager today to get started.
Call: +44
or email: szabina@tradebridge.com
