Business Technology Improvement Fund

Swartz Fine Fashions

As a retail store that has been operating for 115 years, Swartz Fine Fashions has always evolved with the times. Starting out with work boots and undergarments for blue-collar workers, the company now focuses on curated collections of high-end tailored goods, primarily from luxury European brands. We sat down with owner Christopher Shaen, to talk about his experience with the Business Technology Improvement Fund (BTIF) program.

“We wouldn’t have been able to offer our customers the same experience without the team at the Innovation Centre,” Shaen says. The retailer heard about the BTIF program through word of mouth, and they quickly realized their project would be eligible for support. “We already had an online presence during the pandemic, but we were looking to improve from within. We sell on five different platforms and our biggest obstacles were logistics, like inventory control. The new website and backend helped us overcome those,” Shaen explains.

The BTIF program helped Swartz Fine

Fashions with an e-commerce site that could reach customers locally, nationally, and internationally. Shaen believes by solidifying their online presence, and by “implementing a new point of sale that tied the physical location with the e-commerce store,” they were able to maintain their connection to their clientele.

“The experience was short, sweet and to the point. The team had us up and running in no time and we were able to bring our products to a wider audience as well. The support we have received during the pandemic, online and by curbside pickup, kept us going, and without the BTIF funding, this opportunity to connect with more customers would not have been possible,” Shaen says. With the project funded, Swartz Fine Fashions was able to develop its team and website, enhancing an already outstanding customer experience.

Businesses can apply for BTIF funding through the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre for web development, software acquisition, and point of sale hardware costs.

“The BTIF project created this opportunity for us and provided the ability to connect with our loyal clientele base.”