The Ribbon Retreat

What The Ribbon Retreat does

The Ribbon Retreat is a privately held, small e-commerce retailer specializing in ribbon and complementary craft supplies. The company sells through two owned storefronts: a retail site (theribbonretreat.com) with no minimum order that ships globally via USPS and UPS, and a separate wholesale site (theribbonretreatwholesale.com) with a $75 minimum order and UPS Ground fulfillment. Its catalog spans roughly 20+ ribbon material categories (grosgrain, satin, wired, velvet, sheer, printed, chevron, glitter, metallics, artificial silk, burlap/jute, tulle, lace, ric rac, and others) in widths from 1/8" to 3", plus seasonal collections (Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine's, Patriotic), complementary products (barrettes, clips, pull bows, Bowdabra/Tott bow makers), a licensed Edinburgh Tartan polyester line (Scottish Tartan Authority), and gift certificates.

The underlying technology is an ASP.NET / WebForms-style retail e-commerce website secured with a GoDaddy Web Server Certificate providing up to 256-bit SSL encryption, with checkout processed primarily through PayPal (supporting Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and eCheck). A multi-carrier shipping rate calculator routes orders under 2 lbs to USPS and orders over 2 lbs to UPS, with a separate UPS Ground flow for wholesale. The company is not a software platform; it is a single-retailer commerce operation with a CPSIA compliance posture for its barrettes and headbands.

The business model is straightforward transactional commerce. Retail revenue comes from one-time unit purchases of ribbon and craft supplies at per-item/per-yard pricing, with a $10 processing fee on orders under $35. Wholesale revenue is generated through bulk full-spool orders at a $75 minimum. A secondary revenue stream is gift certificates. New customers receive 15% off via newsletter signup. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer e-commerce supported by a community-led content engine: a large free DIY/craft tutorial blog, YouTube video tutorials, and an active presence on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Customer segments include DIY hobbyists, hair bow and small accessory makers, quilters and home sewists, parents, holiday/seasonal decorators, and wholesale B2B buyers. Operations are run from a Fort Scott, Kansas warehouse/fulfillment address and a Shelley, Idaho office, with no disclosed funding, parent company, or institutional shareholders.

Name

The Ribbon Retreat

Legal name

The Ribbon Retreat

Website

https://theribbonretreat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ribbon Retreat is a privately held US e-commerce retailer selling ribbon and craft supplies (grosgrain, satin, wired, seasonal, plus bow-making tools) through a retail storefront and a separate wholesale site, serving DIY hobbyists, hair-bow makers, holiday decorators, and bulk B2B buyers with a tutorial-driven, community-led content model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ribbon and Craft Supplies Retail

NAICS

Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (459130), Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)

SIC

Retail-Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (5940), Retail-Jewelry Stores (5944)

akta.pro primary industry

DIY Craft Kits & Project Kits Retail (CRALACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Yarn, Knitting & Crochet Supplies Retail (CRALACAF)

Keywords

• Ribbon retail
• Craft supplies
• Hair bow materials
• Wholesale ribbon
• DIY craft materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Idaho Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail e-commerce sales (ribbon and craft supplies): One-time purchase of ribbon and DIY supplies via owned retail website; small and large quantities; no minimum order on retail but a $10 processing fee applies to orders under $35.
2. Wholesale sales (separate B2B storefront): Wholesale ribbon sold via www.theribbonretreatwholesale.com with a $75 minimum order; shipped via UPS Ground.
3. Gift certificates: Offered as a store-product line so customers can purchase gift cards/certificates redeemable on the retail site.
4. Featured products and accessories (Bow Makers / Bowdabra): Sells bow-making tools and accessories (e.g., the Bowdabra / Tott hair bow maker) alongside ribbon inventory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Ribbon Retreat is an online retailer of ribbon and craft supplies, selling a deep catalog of 20+ ribbon material categories (grosgrain, satin, wired, velvet, sheer, printed, tulle, lace, burlap, glitter, metallics, etc.) in widths from 1/8" to 3", plus seasonal collections, hair-bow-making tools (Tott/Bowdabra), barrettes and clips, and gift certificates. It operates two distinct storefronts — a no-minimum retail site (theribbonretreat.com) and a separate wholesale site (theribbonretreatwholesale.com) with a $75 minimum — and supports crafters with a free tutorial blog and YouTube library.

Product overview

The Ribbon Retreat operates a single unified retail e-commerce storefront (with a companion wholesale sub-brand, The Ribbon Retreat Wholesale, for full-spool buyers) rather than a platform-plus-modules software architecture. The retail site sells a deep catalog of ribbon products organized into core material categories (Grosgrain, Satin, Wired, Velvet, Sheer, Printed, Chevron, Dots & Stripes, Glitter/Dazzle, Metallics, Saddle Stitch, Artificial Silk, Burlap/Jute, Cord, Raffia, Eco-Friendly, Gingham/Checks/Plaids, Tulle, Lace, Ric Rac, Pull Bows) and seasonal collections (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Fall/Thanksgiving). Complementary offerings include Barrettes & Clips, Bow Makers (Tott hair bow maker), the licensed Edinburgh Tartan polyester line, Gift Certificates, free Hair Bow Tutorials, and a large library of DIY project tutorials spanning crafts, clothing, jewelry, wreaths, and home decor. All of these product categories coexist within the same catalog navigation and checkout flow.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Ribbon Retreat Wholesale: Separate wholesale storefront (theribbonretreatwholesale.com) for full-spool wholesale ribbon purchases with a $75 minimum order requirement.

Products and services

• Grosgrain Ribbon Solid-color grosgrain ribbon offered in multiple widths (1/8" through 3") for hair bows, DIY projects, and general crafting. A primary product line of The Ribbon Retreat.
• Satin Ribbon Solid satin ribbon offered across multiple widths for gift wrapping, sewing, and craft applications.
• Wired Ribbon Edge-wired ribbon for shaping, primarily used in wreaths, bows, floral arrangements, and holiday decorating. Sold in seasonal patterns such as Splendor, Snowflake, Tribute, Harvest Plaid, and Hayride.
• Velvet Ribbon Velvet ribbon offered for crafts, packaging, and decorative applications.
• Sheer Ribbon Sheer ribbon, including glittered sheer patterns (e.g., Snowflake), for holiday and event decoration.
• Printed Ribbon Patterned and themed printed ribbon across multiple motifs and seasons.
• Chevron Ribbon Chevron-patterned ribbon for crafting and decor.
• Dots & Stripes Ribbon Dotted and striped ribbon patterns for general and themed crafting.
• Glitter / Dazzle Ribbon Glitter-finish and dazzle grosgrain ribbon for sparkle-accented crafts.
• Metallics Ribbon Metallic-finish ribbon for decorative and holiday projects.
• Saddle Stitch Ribbon Ribbon with saddle-stitched edge detailing.
• Artificial Silk Ribbon Artificial silk ribbon offering a silk-like appearance for floral and decorative uses.
• Burlap / Jute Ribbon Natural-fiber burlap and jute ribbon, including wired variants such as Glamour Jute, for rustic decor and floral arrangements.
• Cord Cord products for craft and packaging applications.
• Raffia Raffia fiber products for gift wrapping, floral, and decorative projects.
• Eco-Friendly Ribbon Environmentally friendly ribbon options for sustainable crafting.
• Gingham / Checks / Plaids Ribbon Gingham, check, and plaid patterned ribbon for crafts and decor.
• Tulle Tulle fabric for tutus, wreaths, packaging, and decorative projects.
• Lace Lace ribbon and trim for crafts, clothing embellishment, and decorative use.
• Pull Bows Pre-formed pull bows for gift packaging and decorating.
• Ric Rac Rickrack trim ribbon for sewing and craft embellishment.
• Bow Makers Bow-making tools, including the Tott hair bow maker and Bowdabra, used to shape uniform hair bows and ribbon bows.
• Barrettes & Clips Plastic headbands and metal barrettes that pair with ribbon for finished hair accessories; lead-content tested to CPSIA limits.
• Christmas Ribbon Christmas-themed ribbons spanning multiple ribbon types (wired, satin, printed, etc.).
• Valentine's Day Ribbon Valentine's-themed ribbon offerings.
• Easter Ribbon Easter-themed ribbon offerings.
• Halloween Ribbon Halloween-themed ribbons such as Cauldron, Cobwebs, Esmerelda, Jack O Lantern, and Pumpkin Check.
• Fall / Thanksgiving Ribbon Fall and Thanksgiving-themed ribbons such as Abundance, Autumn Plaid, Hayride, Harvest Plaid, Cornucopia, and Pumpkins & Sunflowers.
• Edinburgh Tartan Polyester Ribbon 100% polyester non-wired machine washable tartan plaid ribbon licensed by the Scottish Tartan Authority, available in 17 color patterns and 5 widths.
• Gift Certificates Store gift certificates redeemable on The Ribbon Retreat retail site.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2–3 business day retail order processing (M–F); 1–5 business day US delivery; 2–4 week international delivery
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GoDaddycoreTechnology or IntegrationGoDaddy.com Web Server Certificate secures The Ribbon Retreat's website with up to 256-bit SSL encryption; transactions and credit-card data are protected in transit and credit card information is not retained on file.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayPal is integrated as a checkout option, including a "Check Out with PayPal" flow; payments are also accepted securely through PayPal on the secure online server.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationVisa is accepted as a payment method via the secure online server and through PayPal; Visa logo displayed on the Payment & Shipping page.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or IntegrationMastercard is accepted as a payment method via the secure online server and through PayPal; Mastercard logo displayed on the Payment & Shipping page.
• DiscovercoreTechnology or IntegrationDiscover is accepted as a payment method via the secure online server and through PayPal; Discover logo displayed on the Payment & Shipping page.
• American ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationAmerican Express is accepted as a payment method via the secure online server and through PayPal; AmEx logo displayed on the Payment & Shipping page.
• USPS (United States Postal Service)coreOthersUSPS is the primary shipping carrier for retail orders ≤2 lbs (First Class / Priority / Express Mail) and for international shipments (First Class International, Priority International, Express Mail). Express Mail packages must be received by 9:30 a.m. to ship same day.
• UPSOthers

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Etsy: Etsy is a marketplace for handmade and craft goods where many hair-bow makers and small accessory businesses source ribbon and sell finished products. Indirectly comparable as the destination platform for TRR's downstream maker customers and a venue where competitors sell finished ribbon goods.
• Bowdabra: Bowdabra designs and sells bow-making tools (the Bowdabra and Mini Bowdabra) along with instructional content for hair bows and wreaths. Overlaps with TRR's bow-maker SKU and tutorial library, though focused on tool sales rather than full ribbon assortment.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon (Handmade & Arts, Crafts & Sewing): Amazon's Arts, Crafts & Sewing marketplace is the dominant online channel for ribbon, with thousands of sellers competing on price and Prime shipping. The primary structural competitive threat to TRR's direct e-commerce position, particularly on commodity grosgrain and satin SKUs.
• Offray (Berwick Offray): Berwick Offray is one of the largest North American ribbon manufacturers and distributors, supplying retailers and industrial buyers as well as direct craft customers. Comparable product category at much greater scale, with a much broader B2B focus.
• Michaels Companies: Michaels is the largest North American specialty retailer of arts, crafts, and DIY supplies, including a sizable ribbon assortment in-store and online. Differs in scale and breadth but competes for the same DIY crafter and seasonal decorator budget.
• Hobby Lobby: Hobby Lobby operates a national chain of craft and home-decor superstores with extensive ribbon and seasonal merchandise. Competitor at the broad level for seasonal ribbon purchasing, but lacks TRR's online specialization and small-quantity no-minimum model.

Direct peers

• Tinsel Trading Company: Tinsel Trading is a specialty ribbon and floral-design retailer selling directly to designers, florists, and high-end crafters. Comparable in curated ribbon assortment and direct-to-consumer craft niche, but positioned at a premium price tier versus TRR's broad affordability positioning.
• Country Brook Design: Country Brook Design sells ribbon, webbing, and craft supplies online with both retail and bulk/wholesale options. Comparable dual-channel model, yard-based pricing, and DIY/sewing customer base.
• Mockingbird Ribbon: Mockingbird sells ribbon, lace, and trims by the yard via a dedicated e-commerce site, serving crafters, boutiques, and small manufacturers. Directly comparable to TRR's retail channel in assortment, pricing, and customer base.
• Ribbons by the Yard: Ribbons by the Yard is a direct online competitor selling grosgrain, satin, and specialty ribbon by the yard to crafters and small businesses. Closest comparable in product breadth, target customer (DIY/hair-bow makers), and yard-based unit pricing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ribbonretreat
• YouTubetheribbonretreat.com/Catalog/trr-youtube-video-tutorials.aspx
• Facebookfacebook.com/theribbonretreat
• Instagraminstagram.com/theribbonretreat
• Pinterestpinterest.com/ribbonretreat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-ribbon-retreat

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ribbon Retreat