QVC, HSN promote diversity in Big Find finalists
Two-thirds of the winners of a global search for innovative products are women- and/or minority-owned.
Qurate Retail Group's QVC U.S. and Home Shopping Network (HSN) have selected more than 90 emerging brands from submissions to its second annual “The Big Find” product discovery competition. Launched in July 2020 as an entirely virtual event, The Big Find is a global search for innovative products in apparel, beauty, fashion, accessories, jewelry, home décor, home innovations, electronics, and culinary.
Finalists met virtually with a panel of judges comprised of QVC and HSN merchandising leaders, program hosts, and brand founders from QVC and HSN established brands as well as return winners from The Big Find 2019. More than 60 of the winning brands have self-identified as either women-owned or minority-owned.
The two multiplatform retailers plan to introduce 23 of the winning brands by the end of March 2021, including Pili Ani and 54 Thrones (beauty); Nude Barre and Poppy + Sage (accessories); Pacific Northwest Cookie Company, Curly Girlz Candy and Pure Food by Estee (culinary); and Go Hang It! and The Strappee (home innovations). Additional Big Find brands will roll out throughout Q2 and the rest of 2021.
The 2020 Big Find search opened in July and received more than 2,400 entries from more than 60 countries were received. In September, 270 finalists shared their brand stories and demonstrated their products virtually to the panel of judges. More than 100 finalists received a "Big Ticket," an invitation to continue the product discovery process with QVC or HSN.
QVC and HSN will also offer mentoring sessions for the winners of The Big Find. Founders and other leaders from such brands as Laura Geller, Peace Love World, Patricia Nash, and others are meeting with the up-and-coming entrepreneurs to answer questions, share insights, and offer coaching on live product storytelling.
"Each of these entrepreneurs have moved us with their remarkable personal stories and innovative products," said Mary Campbell, chief merchandising officer, Qurate Retail Group, and chief commerce officer, QVC U.S. "We're excited to give these emerging businesses a national stage to share their stories across multiple platforms and our team members are honored at the opportunity to provide mentorship and guidance in support of their growth. As The Big Find has shown once again, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the U.S. and around the world, and we know that our customers will be inspired by these new brands."
QVC and HSN form one of the world's largest video commerce platforms, reaching more than 90 million homes in the U.S. (380 million worldwide) via broadcast channels and millions more via streaming, web, mobile, and social platforms.