QVC, HSN bring back ‘The Big Find’
Two multiplatform retailers are launching the second edition of an international search for new products.
QVC U.S. and Home Shopping Network (HSN) are conducting “The Big Find,” a global search for innovative products in beauty, fashion, accessories, and jewelry, as an entirely virtual event. The retailers, which share parent company Qurate Retail Group, introduced The Big Find in June 2019 and began launching sales of winning products in Q1 2020.
The first step in the process of discovery is for entrepreneurs and inventors to complete an application that includes a video submission on their product or product lines from July 8 through Aug. 19. Selected candidates will then be invited to pitch their products virtually in September via videoconference to a panel of QVC and HSN judges, including merchandising executives, program hosts, and founders from established QVC and HSN brands.
The panel of QVC and HSN judges will interview candidates to learn more about their brand story, background on the product or invention and what makes the product interesting or relevant. If an entrepreneur or vendor is identified as a “Big Ticket” recipient, she or he will be invited to continue the product discovery process with QVC or HSN, including meetings with merchandising teams and a quality assurance process before a brand is chosen to launch on-air and online across all platforms.
The 2020 search has been expanded to include nine categories. In 2019, entrepreneurs representing apparel, jewelry, accessories, footwear and beauty could apply for The Big Find. In 2020, QVC and HSN are adding home décor, home innovation, electronics and culinary including food to the eligible category list. According to the retailers, expansion into the four new categories is due, in part, to extraordinary growth in them during the last several months of restricted activities.
"Our business has always been rooted in discovering and nurturing authentic, emerging brands, and our customers have really enjoyed getting to know the many inspiring entrepreneurs and products we discovered through last year's Big Find," said Mary Campbell, chief merchandising officer, Qurate Retail Group, and chief commerce officer, QVC U.S. "We're excited about building on that success with this year's search. By adding new categories, we look forward to creating even more opportunities for entrepreneurs with unique products and compelling stories to work with us in curating differentiated product experiences for our customers."
The inaugural Big Find nationwide search brought in more than 650 entries from 43 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, India, South Africa, Switzerland and U.K. More than 65 brands in beauty and fashion were selected to introduce their products across QVC and HSN platforms throughout 2020, including Act & Acre, Alkaglam, Mented Cosmetics, Follain, Have Some Fun Today, and Valencia Key. QVC and HSN expect to exceed that number of brands identified through The Big Find 2020.