There is a new breed of online store servicing your shopping needs, whether it be gift, craft, personal indulgence or for the home.
No longer just the domain of mass-market chains, carefully curated boutique online stores can offer anything from handcrafted homewares and accessories, to beautiful organic shampoos. And all this credit card perusing, can be undertaken from the comfort of your laptop and delivered straight to your door!
Here is our pick of top online boutique stores you need to check out . . .
The aim of online store Sorry Thanks I Love You is to offer gifts that perfectly fulfill those five words, whether for a loved one, colleague or friend. This unique site offers a broad range of fresh flowers, gourmet foods, craft beverages and handmade accessories, partnering with artisans across the nation. From hand-woven Kashmiri scarves and Dinosaur Design platters, to premium single malt distilled in highland Tasmania, there is something for everyone and every occasion here.
Quality made leather goods are hard to come by, but Brisbane-based retailer BNVVT (Bon Vivant Quality Bag Co.) aims to combat this shortage with beautiful, hand-finished pieces made from grain vegetable-tanned cow leather. BNVVT's bags are lined with premium twill canvas and finished with brass hardware, there are "no robots used in the making", just a team of five highly skilled craftsman. There are items here for every dapper fellow or filly, classic leather designs offer great unisex options: overnight duffel bags, satchels, backpacks and briefcases.
Australia's own boutique beauty and grooming retailer has entered the digital sphere with an online store stocking its curated collection of hard-to-find brands. Here you'll find cosmetics, skincare, hair care, fragrance and body care from the likes of Byredo, Dr Brandt, Diptyque, Le Labo, Perricone MD and Ren. The perfect beauty and grooming shop, or gift stop, for both gals and guys.
Quite Nice
New Zealand retailer Quite Nice sells things that are, well, quite nice! From knick-knacks for the home and children's toys, to beautiful accessories and decorations, this is a boutique one-stop-shop for gift giving (or even for yourself).
We profiled Sydney-based industrial designer Henry Wilson last December, and while we're big fans of his custom pieces, he has also recently introduced an online store where you can purchase some of the more accessible products. A ceramic 'Anglepoise' lamp is a highlight, and there are also A-Joint mini side tables and mini stools.
It's no secret that shaving razors are often the most expensive item in your supermarket basket, and it's a great pain when you unexpectedly run out the morning of an important meeting. Dollar Shave Club invites customers to select one of three different blades and, from there, pay a low monthly fee (beginning at $4) and have a number of cartridges sent to you each month. Easy.