_blaenk

_blaenk positions itself as a hybrid B2B2C marketplace operator, merging the physical and digital retail worlds for lifestyle products. The company was formally established as _blaenk GmbH in 2020, evolving from the startup Brickspaces which was founded in 2014. The concept was initiated by Martin Bressem, who became CEO in 2019 and spearheaded the new direction alongside founding members Sandra Swienty, Svenja Winterbach, and Moritz Nikula. Bressem, with a background in business administration and a previous venture called Detoxrebels, identified the potential within Brickspaces to create a more integrated retail experience.

The core of _blaenk's business is a "Retail as a Service" (RaaS) model, targeting both emerging and established consumer brands that want to establish a physical footprint without the complexities of traditional leasing and operations. For a modular fee, _blaenk provides brands with physical placement in high-traffic stores, operational staff, payment processing, fulfillment, and marketing. A key differentiator is the data analytics component; the company uses AI, camera, and sensor technology to provide brands with a detailed dashboard of in-store customer behavior, including foot traffic, brand engagement, demographics, and sales funnels, mirroring the analytics available in e-commerce. This allows brands to test products and understand offline consumer interactions with unprecedented clarity.

_blaenk operates both physical, experience-oriented stores in prime locations, such as Cologne's Schildergasse, and a content-driven online marketplace. These physical locations are designed as immersive spaces, or "Points of Experience," where consumers can discover, test, and interact with a curated selection of products spanning fashion, food, and technology. Customers can purchase items on-site or use QR codes for a digital checkout process with options for in-store pickup or home delivery. The company has received significant recognition, including a European Innovation Award for Retail, and secured a seven-figure seed funding round in 2020 from international investors like MA Ventures (Migros Aare), Marks & Spencer, and BitStone Capital.

Keywords: Retail as a Service, RaaS, omnichannel commerce, phygital retail, experiential shopping, retail analytics, consumer brand marketplace, data-driven retail, pop-up stores, lifestyle products, brick-and-mortar innovation, retail technology, customer engagement analytics, Point of Experience, smart stores, Martin Bressem, PropTech, hybrid retail, in-store analytics, brand activation, retail innovation