Sean Erez is the President and CEO of Shop Under, a retail company headquartered in Montreal that offers designer accessories from iconic brands at discounted prices. Shop Under includes ZeeApparel, specializing in stylish, high-quality streetwear and activewear that has a significant presence in the UK. Beyond retail, Sean is a major force in multi-residential real estate, developing and managing numerous high-end rental properties in Montreal. His work in housing addresses critical societal needs while setting industry benchmarks for quality. With a career built on adaptability, innovation, and a keen understanding of global markets, Sean Erez has successfully operated ventures across multiple industries and spanning two continents.
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Q: What inspired the creation of Shop Under, and how did you identify an opening in the market for accessible designer accessories?
Sean Erez: The inspiration for the business was my realization that virtually everyone wants to wear high-end, designer fashion brands. The major obstacle for consumers has always been where to find them and whether they can afford them. I knew that if I could find a way of addressing these two issues, I could create a winning enterprise. After a lot of hard work and research, Shop Under was born. Our direct-to-consumer model helps reduce our costs, allowing us to pass on savings to our customers so they can purchase luxury items at prices that are more budget-friendly while maintaining all the quality and authenticity you would expect for brands like Gucci, Prada, and Tom Ford.
Q: Can you go into some detail about how Shop Under stays competitive in the rapidly changing online retail space?
Sean Erez: That remains our ongoing focus, and it’s doubly challenging because not only is the online retail space constantly evolving, so is the fashion industry. As a result, we have to always consider two sets of moving criteria and constantly adapt to them. We do that through deploying strategies like data analytics to track consumer trends in real time and investing in cutting-edge technology to optimize the user experience. By staying out front of the latest trends and continuously improving our mobile-friendly platform, we ensure that our customers can easily find what they’re looking for while enjoying an easy and pleasurable shopping experience.
Q: What strategies do you use to attract and retain customers in such a competitive market?
Sean Erez: The key is putting yourself in the customer’s shoes. You have to try to see the world the way they see it. When the Shop Under team and I have brainstorming sessions about our next moves, we always ask ourselves questions like, “What do our customers genuinely value?”, “How can we make their shopping experience more seamless and fun?” and “What do we offer that sets us apart from competitors?” Coming up with answers to these questions helps put us in the right mindset, and then the path forward to attracting and retaining customers becomes much more clear. We have a sophisticated social media strategy that has proven effective at introducing Shop Under to new customers, as well as reaching people who have already shopped with us.
Q: Shop Under is headquartered in Canada, but within that, you have another brand called ZeeApparel with a large customer base in the United Kingdom. What are some of the unique challenges you’ve encountered while managing a business that operates across two continents?
Sean Erez: Every region has its own nuances and quirks, but nine times out of ten, these are mere superficialities. No matter where you are in the world, people are pretty much the same, especially when it comes to retail. They want quality, brand-name merchandise for the lowest possible price, and they want their shopping experience to be pleasant. I’ve operated all my businesses, both past and present, according to these principles, and the results have been great so far. That being said, there are some differences between governments when it comes to regulatory compliance, taxes, and things of that nature—but there’s always a way to make it work.
Q: You’ve recently entered into the Canadian real estate development sector. How has your experience there differed from your career in online retail?
Sean Erez: There are substantial differences, of course, but once again, it’s the similarities between the two that really strike me. Both industries are about understanding people’s needs and then meeting and exceeding their expectations. In retail, it’s about creating an enjoyable shopping experience and offering value. In real estate, it’s about providing living spaces that people are proud to call home. I don’t just own a few rental properties—I own a great many, at this point. It feels good to create housing on a large scale at a time when it’s critically needed. It helps society by giving folks quality places to live. But, getting back to your question about how real estate differs from retail, while the timelines and project scales are quite different, the core principles of quality, customer focus, and innovation remain the same. It’s all about catering to your audience and making sure they’re happy.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to any would-be entrepreneurs looking to succeed in the current business landscape?
Sean Erez: Stay focused on solving real problems for your customers. Be adaptable and ready to evolve, because the market is constantly changing – but when you stay true to your core values and consistently deliver value, success will follow.
