New Merchant Onboarding Overview

New Merchant Onboarding Overview

Belleville Market is a modern neighborhood department store, thoughtfully curated to offer guests a warm, elevated, and inspiring shopping experience. Our merchants play a vital role in bringing this vision to life.

Because of this, joining Belleville Market is a selective and structured process designed to ensure alignment, long-term success, and a strong experience for our guests.

This overview walks you through what to expect—from application to launch—and outlines the standards and commitments required to be part of Belleville Market.

What Makes Belleville Different

Belleville Market is not a traditional leased retail space or open vendor market.
  1. Assortments are curated by our merchandising team
  2. Visual presentation and guest experience are centrally guided
  3. Placement is intentional and performance-driven
  4. Standards are consistent across the store
We partner closely with our merchants, but Belleville leads the overall experience to ensure a cohesive department store environment.

Merchant Classifications (At a Glance)

Merchants are approved into one of three classifications based on brand fit, product mix, and operational readiness:
  1. Anchor Merchant – Dedicated licensed space with shared visual oversight
  2. Showcase Merchant – Branded presence within shared fixtures
  3. Curated Merchant – Products integrated into Belleville’s curated assortment
Classification is determined during the review process and may differ from an applicant’s initial preference.

The Onboarding Process

1. Application & Discovery

Prospective merchants submit an application outlining their brand, products, pricing, and operational readiness.
Applicants receive:
  1. A high-level overview of the onboarding process
  2. Information on merchant classifications
  3. Initial expectations and standards

2. Internal Review

Our Merchandising & Buying Team evaluates applications based on:
  1. Category balance and differentiation
  2. Brand alignment and storytelling
  3. Price architecture
  4. Inventory depth and replenishment capacity
Not all applicants move forward. Some may be declined or held for future consideration.

3. Interview & Walkthrough

Selected applicants are invited to an interview and store walkthrough (in-person or virtual).
This conversation confirms mutual fit and covers:
  1. Belleville’s department store model
  2. Classification-specific expectations
  3. Visual and operational standards
  4. Performance and reporting expectations

4. Proposal & Merchandising Approval

If both parties choose to move forward, merchants submit a proposal tailored to their classification.
Depending on classification, this may include:
  1. Space concepts or layout drawings
  2. Assortment proposals or SKU lists
  3. Pricing and inventory plans
All assortments, layouts, and presentations are subject to Belleville approval.

5. Agreement & Compliance

Approved merchants receive a classification-specific agreement outlining:
  1. Terms and expectations
  2. Performance standards
  3. Visual and operational guidelines
Merchants must complete all compliance requirements before onboarding continues.

6. Systems & Readiness

Prior to launch, merchants complete required systems testing, including:
  1. Barcode and POS validation
  2. SKU and pricing verification
  3. Operational readiness checks
These steps ensure a seamless guest and checkout experience.

7. Merchant Orientation

All new merchants participate in a formal orientation led by our New Merchant Success Manager. (In-person or virtual)

Orientation covers:
  1. Guest experience standards
  2. Merchandising and sales insights
  3. Marketing and promotion guidelines
  4. Communication and support structure

8. Launch & Evaluation

Merchants launch with a defined soft-opening period.

During this time, Belleville reviews:
  1. Sales performance
  2. Sell-through and inventory health
  3. Visual and operational execution
Long-term placement is based on performance, alignment, and guest response.

What Merchants Should Know Upfront

Before applying, prospective merchants should understand:
  1. Belleville is a curated department store, not leased retail space
  2. Not all products or collections will be approved
  3. Performance is reviewed regularly
  4. Visual and operational standards evolve
  5. Participation is a partnership—but Belleville leads the experience

Our Commitment

We are committed to transparency, thoughtful collaboration, and helping our merchants succeed within a curated department store environment.
If you’re excited by structure, standards, and storytelling—and believe your brand aligns—we encourage you to apply.



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