Consumers have always been the omnipresent force shaping ecommerce. How people shop, why people shop, what they value — all of it has combined to create the ecommerce ecosystem we buzz around today.
When brick-and-mortar stores were the only go-to, trends were set by the products that made it to shelves. Today, those limitations are entirely out the window. If your online store doesn’t cater to changing standards that reflect an even greater changing society, it may as well shutter now before burning up any more dough.
From product catalogs to the roster of values an ecommerce brand is built on, shoppers are making choices based on their heart over their wallet more than ever. Eighty-six percent of people make buying decisions based on how a brand handles climate change, DEI, and ethical business practices. And when a brand doesn’t align with a shopper’s values? Well, they have practically endless choices to pick from on the web.
This newfound fact is especially obvious when it comes to who is running a company.
More Options Than Ever for Mindful Gifting
Nearly one-third of shoppers make it a point to patronize women-owned brands consistently as people flock to supporting and uplifting marginalized communities. This level of mindfulness is exciting, invigorating, and breathing new life into the ecommerce industry.
In 1997, just over 5 million businesses in the U.S. were owned by women. Today, that number has grown to more than 14 million business, doubling in the last 15 years alone. Women-owned businesses have grown at a rate twice as fast as men-owned firms, and they account for nearly $3 trillion in revenue nationwide.
Many factors have contributed to this economic shift. The slow dismantling of the “Maternal Wall,” increased access to childcare, and the growing equality of how labor is divided in a marriage are all parts of the women-led business revolution. But perhaps the biggest factor?
It’s what the people want.
Zest is lucky to be a small part of the journey for many innovative women-led businesses that are pioneering new products, new ideas, and new ways to share their wares far and wide.
Dip into this gift guide for some of our favorite presents from our favorite women-owned partner brands.
Top Gifts From Our Favorite Women-led Ecommerce Brands
Tea Time by Ethik
Who loves it:
- Meditative zen-seekers
- People who appreciate a cozy morning
What’s in it:
- Ajiri Tea from sustainable farms in Kenya
- Traditional Vietnamese ceramic mug
- Turkish tea towel
What’s it cost: $44
Karl Bissinger Collection 17-pc Gift Box by Bissinger’s
Who loves it:
- Royalty or royalty-adjacent pals
- Chocolate truffle heads
What’s in it:
- 17 of Bissinger’s best-selling truffles, caramels, French creams, and toffee
- Fancy-schmancy Bissinger’s gift box
What’s it cost: $36
Elevate Coffee by Partners Coffee
Who loves it:
- Morning people
- Those friends who have a whole barista setup for brewing
What’s in it:
- One 2lb. Bag of Elevate, a roast with “sweet acidity and velvety mouth-feel.”
- Pick from whole bean or ground coffee for drip, pour over, chemex, French press, and more.
What’s it cost: $49.33
Cookies & Coffee Bundle by Levain Bakery
Who loves it:
- Levain fanatics
- Cookie-dunkers
- People who like a little bit of this and a little bit of that
What’s in it:
- One 12oz. Bag of Levain Blend from Canyon Coffee
- Four cookies of your choice
- Choice of ribbon
- Levain gift box
What’s it cost: $49
The Cookie Faves Tin by Milk Bar
Who loves it:
- Expert snackers
- Cookie monsters
- Glasses of milk
What’s in it:
- 3 Compost cookies
- 3 Confetti cookies
- 3 Chocolate Confetti cookies
- 3 Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow cookies
- Windowed Milk Bar tin
What’s it cost: $46
The Mini Artist Series by Brightland
Who loves it:
- Foodies
- Wannabe foodies
- Adventurous eaters
What’s in it:
Four mini bottles of
- Ardor Chili Olive Oil
- Rosette Garlic Olive Oil
- Lucid Lemon Olive Oil
- Arise Basil Olive Oil
What’s it cost: $85
Eat Chocolate, Drink Wine by Clif Family
Who loves it:
- Experts of the Seven S’s
- Chocoholics
- Appreciators of fine pairings
What’s in it:
- One bottle of 2021 Kit's Killer Cab Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- TCHO Chocolate Dark Duo
- TCHO Chocolate Toffee Time
- TCHO Chocolate Napa Noir
What’s it cost: $100
The Snack Sampler by Teak & Twine
Who loves it:
- Peckish pals
- Fridge-raiders
- That coworker who is always snagging your snacks
What’s in it:
- 10 instant coffee packets by Chamberlain Coffee
- 4 gourmet dates by Date Better
- 2 shortbread by Willa’s
- 2 marshmallow snack by Mojave Mallows
What’s it cost: $136
Peanut Butter Bonbons by Vosges Haut-Chocolat
Who loves it:
- PB lovers
- Keepers of a sweet tooth
What’s in it:
- 9 bonbons handcrafted with natural peanut butter and a proprietary 45% dark milk chocolate, which has notes of deep toasted cacao, caramelized whole milk, and a touch of tart berry parfums.
What’s it cost: $29
The Old Fashioned Gift Crate by Giften Market
Who loves it:
- People who retire to the den after dinner
- Midwesterners
- Whisky aficionados
What’s in it:
- CC Made Caramel Popcorn or Similar
- Compartes Nightcap Whisky Dark Chocolate Bar
- Peak Extra Large Ice Cube Tray
- Strongwater The Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit
- Dehydrated Orange Slice Garnishes
- Simple Gift Wrap
What’s it cost: $95
Chocolate Chip Cookies by Grove Cookie Company
Who loves it:
- People who love a classic soft cookie
- Chocolate-lovers
What’s in it:
- One dozen perfect chocolate chip cookies
What’s it cost: $46.50
Build a Box by Unboxme
Who loves it:
- Literally anybody
What’s in it:
- Your choice of gift box
- Your choice of greeting card
- Your choice of gifts from Unboxme’s catalog
What’s it cost: Up to you!
Porto’s Top 4 Favorites by Porto’s Bakery
Who loves it:
- Proponents of Girl Dinner
- Party hosts
What’s in it:
- 12 Cheese Rolls®
- 12 Potato Balls®
- 12 Chicken empanadas
- 12 Refugiado® (guava and cheese strudels)
What’s it cost: $89.96
The VIP | Candy Bar & Bonbon Hand-painted Chocolate Gift Box by Kate Weiser Chocolate
Who loves it:
- Artists
- Indulgent types
*Not for people who won’t eat something if it looks too pretty.
What’s in it:
- One hand-painted Carmallow Bar
- One hand-painted Kate-y Trail Mix Bar
- One hand-painted Milk N’ Cookies Bar
- 34 hand-painted chocolate bonbons in 19 signature flavors
- BarKate Weiser’s VIP Gift Box
- A white bow
