Kith image credit Shutterstock.

The Power of Community

It’s a fact. People trust people like them. Reliability feels safe. It’s what we are building here on Poopsnoop.

We are not the only ones either. Brands too have recognised give consumers a place to go, to have an experience, a sense of belonging and they’ll not only stay loyal they’ll bring their friends along too.

We are more discerning and more intentional these days. Money is tighter and how we spend it has never been more considered. Value comes in other ways like community and the people winning are the ones investing in belonging over broadcast.

Consumers priorities have changed, we are no longer following short lived trends that come and go. And the influencer voice that has dominated the market has been quietened. No one is interested in someone reading a script, hitting talking points or posting because they were paid to or gifted the product in question. This is why our authentic organic user created, user generated content and the real conversations happening real time are outperforming the super polished online content of old.

I am really excited to see brands appreciating and seeing their customers in a new way, giving more back and growing their offerings in new ways too. These are the things, the ideas we embraced in the beginning with the Poopsnoop project. We began in 2013 with the desire to create a safe and beneficial social media space where people could share helpful useful information for life. The initial idea was to combat loneliness and bring like minded people together all in one place with one password. A safe environment online where content was moderated for quality and authenticity. When I look back at the FAQ we wrote back then they ground us in the goals as we grow. We want PS to be a place where people who join can trust what they are reading experiencing away from addictive and manipulative algorithms. A slower placed social media where patience is required for moderation and quality posts are rewarded not exploited. And not just with traffic.

It is so refreshing for me to see other companies and brands changing to meet customer consumer needs. These are the companies that are soaring higher by doing things differently.

Tecovas stores, a boot company out of Texas are offering complimentary beverages, including beer, tequila, or water, while you shop for boots or try them on, enhancing their "Western hospitality" experience. These drinks are typically available at the store's bar, allowing you to enjoy a drink while browsing and taking advantage of services like complimentary boot shines and leather branding.

In the couture fashion realm Dior has opened permanent, high-end spas within select flagship locations, including their first US spa at the New York City Madison Avenue boutique. These in-store luxury spaces offer bespoke treatments, like the 90-minute "Haute Couture" facial, combining high-tech tools, LED light therapy, and specialized, private care. 

In addition to NYC, specialized Dior spas exist in luxury locations like Paris (Cheval Blanc), Dubai, and on the Orient Express. The idea keeping clients with the brand longer, while their clients are enjoying relaxation and beauty treatments they can ponder their purchases.

Alo Yoga wear company out of California is another brand taking experiential marketing and community building to a whole new level. The Alo Gym (specifically the Alo Wellness Club) is an ultra-exclusive, invite-only fitness center located at the Beverly Hills headquarters of the activewear brand Alo Yoga. Known as a celebrity hot spot for stars like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Glen Powell, it offers high-end workout facilities, recovery amenities, and complimentary apparel. They also have a similar program in London although there is a catch. These centres are Primarily reserved for celebrities, high-level influencers (often 100k+ followers), and notable figures. I guess if you spend a lot with Alo the doors to these luxury add ons open as members do receive complimentary Alo apparel sets upon arrival and after workouts, access to a smoothie/snack bar, and a rooftop or lounge area. It wouldn’t be possible to offer these perks to everyone but hey it’s definitely created a different kind of buzz around the brand and something new, people want to be part of.

Kith is the cult streetwear brand with stores around the world created by sneaker designer Ronnie Fieg. Kith have just opened a new flagship store on Regent Street where they combine art installations and pop up collabs with other brands like Nike, Clarks, Adidas. The Kith gallery experience, often known as the Arsham/Fieg Gallery (AFG), is a curated art space located within select Kith flagship stores, designed to merge high-end streetwear with contemporary art. Founded by Ronnie Fieg and artist Daniel Arsham, it features rotating exhibitions from various artists every 4-6 weeks, providing a, sophisticated, gallery-like atmosphere. 

The AFG serves as a platform for artists to showcase works, including sculptures, paintings, and installations, often complementing the brand's creative lifestyle.

These galleries are part of an immersive retail experience, curated "lifestyle" that includes high-fashion retail, Kith Treats bars, and unique collaborations, often designed in partnership with Snarkitecture. The most well known installation and collaboration the Nike arch chandelier featuring resin cast Nike Max 1s in the Paris flagship store at 49 Rue Pierre Charron. The idea don’t just come in, shop and leave. Hang out, have a good time with us, look at art, have a bite to eat. Meet new like minded people, talk about us, bring your friends.

POOPSNOOP FOR COMMUNITY - A curated self moderated magazine of stories and images around brand experience.

POOPSNOOP FOR CREATORS - the opportunity to be completely authentic. To say what you really think without compromise. To put your audience first without fear of upsetting the brand or client you may rely on financially. Build complete trust with your following, no longer just influencers selling a product on behalf of brand or service regardless of whether you like it or not, a truth teller, the real deal, people can trust.

BRAND + CREATOR + COMMUNITY = CONNECTION

The brands I’ve featured here are brands I love personally. And communities I enjoy being part of. I haven’t made it into the Alo Gym program yet but I am working on it. Will keep you posted. I am a genuine fan of the leggings particularly the 7/8 ultra high waist airlift leggings which I am actually wearing right now. £128