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Research Summary
Research Summary
  • Research Summary

Moving Beyond Direct-to-Consumer

By: Leonard A. Schlesinger
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    Description

    Changing consumer behaviors have redefined what it means to be direct to consumer ("DTC"). What once began online a decade ago as a distribution and disintermediation strategy has since evolved into a multifaceted approach for the modern-day brand.

    The future of direct-to-consumer is happening now. Years of innovation, pre-existing trends, and consumer evolution have been accelerated by a digital movement proliferated by COVID-19. However, many of the favorable market trends have changed in recent months. This year, we will examine the new challenges that DTC businesses face through our teaching and research programs, along with the unique strategies that founders have adopted to stay relevant in the wake of the global pandemic and the shifting consumer and investor preferences – from reinvesting in retail, introducing new channels, optimizing delivery and last mile logistics, exploring emerging interactive digital media such as TikTok and the metaverse, and building an approachable brand centered around community.

    "Moving Beyond DTC," an HBS Teaching and Research initiative in its fifth year, serves as a launch pad for passionate and resilient students and readers eager to design, incubate and invest in DTC businesses through multiple formats and iterations.

    Len Schlesinger and Ayelet Israeli of Harvard Business School, and Matt Higgins, of RSE Ventures, along with an extraordinary lineup of founders, investors and leaders, focus on delivering natural world perspectives that enable and empower students and readers in our community to build, operate, and scale successful DTC businesses.

    Here are some of the 2024 committed class visitors:

    Name Company
    Tim Brown AllBirds
    Bobbi Brown Jones Road
    Scott Tannen Boll & Branch
    Ben Lerer & Caitlin Strandberg Lerer Hippeau Ventures
    David Chang & Marguerite Mariscal Momofuku
    Harley Finkelstein Shopify
    Julie Schott, Ben Bordainick, Amanda Johnson Starface and Julie 
    Gabe Whaley MSCHF
    Bill Schufelt Athletic Brewing Company
    Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz Magic Spoon
    Kevin Lee and Kevin Chanthasiriphan Immi

    Leonard A. Schlesinger

    General Management
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