Solfelt strengthens partnership with Droppery: “Building growth together”
Solfelt, a platform specializing in high-end interior products, has strengthened its market position in recent years by evolving beyond a webshop into a bridge between consumers and suppliers. Led by founders Tom Ridder and Guus Clous, the company focuses on a personalized approach that goes beyond traditional online retail.
In an interview, co-founder Tom Ridder discusses Solfelt’s philosophy, its collaboration with Droppery, and the company’s vision for the future.
From webshop to platform
Four years ago, Tom Ridder and Guus Clous decided to enter the online interior design market. With backgrounds in online marketing, they recognized opportunities to stand out from mid-range competitors. “We noticed that no one in the high-end segment was fully dedicated to that niche,” says Tom. “If you searched for brands like Eichholtz on Google, you often ended up on Marktplaats. That could be improved. Suppliers benefit more from a high-quality webshop that properly represents their brand.”
Solfelt positions itself as a platform that offers more than online sales. “We want to make it easier for consumers not only to find inspiration but also to physically experience products. If someone wants to see a sofa in person, we arrange that directly with the suppliers,” Tom adds.
Extra service for the high-end segment
Solfelt distinguishes itself through a service-oriented approach. While many webshops simply ship products, Solfelt offers premium services tailored to the luxury market, such as fully assembled furniture deliveries or on-site installation of lighting. “We want to be more than a box-shifting webshop. Our goal is to completely unburden the customer, and that’s something we aim to emphasize even more going forward.”
With a portfolio of 35 brands, including Eichholtz, Borek, and Silk-Ka, Solfelt has built strong collaborations. “For about half of our brands, we organize showroom visits so customers can make confident decisions. This model works well for both consumers and suppliers,” says Tom.
The role of Droppery
For the past year and a half, Solfelt has partnered with Droppery, a platform that automates product data, inventory management, and logistics to simplify cross-border sales. This partnership has helped Solfelt improve operational efficiency and reach a wider audience. “Droppery provides access to product data and real-time stock from our suppliers, allowing us to offer accurate insights to customers and automate our order processes,” Tom explains.
In the coming year, Solfelt and Droppery plan to expand their collaboration. For smaller products such as vases, Droppery will take over logistics, with suppliers shipping directly to consumers. “For large furniture, we can add value through our service, but for smaller products, direct delivery is more efficient.”
The integration process with suppliers happens in stages. “Some are quickly convinced, others take more time. But once they see the benefits, they’re eager to join,” Tom says. He also praises working with Marco and Cathelijne from Droppery: “We’ve had a great connection from the beginning. It feels like a partnership where we’re truly building growth together.”
Currently, Solfelt is experiencing strong momentum, running several Black Friday campaigns in collaboration with high-end partners.
More information:
Droppery
Vossiusstraat 20-2
1071 AD Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 210 1895
info@droppery.io
www.droppery.io
Solfelt
Arlandaweg 92
1043 EX Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 211 1026
info@solfelt.nl
www.solfelt.nl
Publication date: November 29, 2024