Need Supply Co. opening stores in Japan and launching in house line

20 years ago, Need Supply Co. began as a quaint store in Richmond, Virginia. Today, the brand is primarily known for e-commerce and their mix of offerings for contemporary and indie labels has become increasingly popular over the past several years. Now, after 20 years in Richmond, Virginia the company has opened their second store across the Pacific Ocean in Shibuya, Japan.

One store isn't enough, however. A second store will open in Kumamoto, Japan on November 28, just in time for holiday shopping. The merchandise for both stores will include hard to find Scandinavian and Japanese brands. Need Supply Co. partnered with Creative Director Takayuki Minami of Alpha Co. Ltd. to help open their new locations.

The brand became popular in Japan thanks to their bi-annual magazine "Human Being Journal." Last year, the company began translating the magazine into Japanese and distributing it throughout Japan, and they really got the attention of their Japanese publishing partner CCC. CCC operates several retail projects, and approached the company about opening stores in Japan.

Need Supply Co. expanding overseas

This is just the beginning to Need Supply Co's growth. The company recently closed a round of funding, and has raised an undisclosed sum of money that they will use to continue growing.

Recently, the company opened a studio in Los Angeles where their Creative Director Gabriel Ricciopo and his wife Need Supply Co. Fashion Director Krystle Kemp are based. The two are currently working on Need, Need Supply Co.'s first in-house line, which they are hoping to launch for spring 2016. The line will be unisex, and will also be heavy on denim offerings.

According to Ricciopo's discussion with fashionista.com, price wise it is expected to "sit alongside [their] current brands." The line will also be entirely produced in Los Angeles where Need Supply Co. plans on opening their next store. A New York store is expected to follow in the not so distant future.

Currently, the company is only a small staff of 40 people, but as they continue to grow internationally that is expected to change. Need Supply Co. has e-commerce to thank for their ability to grow internationally, proven again how e-commerce is changing the retail landscape. It's now easier for brands to develop an international presence even more so than ever.

What started off a small boutique minded business is now growing overseas, and quite successfully too. It is interesting to see how small businesses have used e-commerce to begin to really own their place in the retail landscape.