A store with mojo! Big or small. New or old. We are drawn to stores that have a unique perspective and a desire to create in-store experiences that bring people together.

Each store is hand-selected by our Store Scouts to ensure we serve (and you reach) a shared, high-intent audience. The criteria we look for:

1. Produce great in-store experiences

2. Include a retail component

3. Majority independently owned

If you’d like to add your store to our radar, please share your details here.

Note we’re currently only located in NYC. Growing across the city, neighborhood by neighborhood. Our intention is to expand to new markets in 2026.

We take great pride in visiting, shopping and attending events at each store before extending an invitation to join the platform. Living our brand ethos of “going there”.

No. While we prioritize stores that host in-store events, we also look for stores that offer unique in-store experiences that can’t be recreated online. From in-store cafes to customization services and onsite studios.

Friend in Store is invite-only. As part of our collective, it’s free to have your store featured in the Discovery section of the app. And being early days, we’re also waiving any fee to feature your events and in-store news on Friend in Store until later 2025.

Note: posting an event will always be optional.

Events are in-store gatherings with a set beginning and end. From workshops to tastings, pop-ups, opening parties, screenings and more. Events must be:

• Open to the public

• Take place at your store

Virtual events are not eligible

Stores can submit their events & in-store news anytime via our web portal accessed at friendinstore.com.  Events and in-store news will be uploaded to the app within 48 hours. We can accept event submissions up to 60 days out.

No. If the in-store event recurs on the same day and time each week, you only have to submit 1 form. There will be a field in the form that allows you to indicate it’s a weekly recurring event.

In addition to events, we also spotlight a cross-section of in-store news on the app.  We qualify news as any in-store happening outside a defined event. From sample sales to trunk shows. New product arrivals to off-menu items. Store re-designs and limited-time collaborations.

Privileges are special perks, invitations, discounts and experiences designed to drive traffic and support in-store sales. Examples include: Friend-only discount, access to exclusive in-store experience and special gift with purchase.

Privilege terms & conditions are set by each store and can be attributed to any in-store purchase or a specific event. To redeem, Friends (app users) must show their in-app Friend card.

Presently, Friend in Store is only distributed as an iOS app.

Absolutely! We’re always on the hunt to add new stores to our radar to visit and shop for consideration. If you know a store that produces great events & in-store experiences, we’d love to hear! Please email us at info@friendinstore.com

We’d love to hear from you! Your voice is very important to us as these are early days and we want to ensure we’re building & innovating products and features that matter most to you and your store. Give us a holler at info@friendinstore.com