Powered by People is a subscription platform that helps independent brands build catalogs with distribution access to 100+ premium retailers, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Anthropologie, and Macy's, through a single integration. We optimize how your products are described, discovered, and distributed, so your catalog performs everywhere shoppers are searching.

You subscribe to a PBP plan that includes catalog optimization (PBP CatalogAgent), distribution access to our multi-retailer network (PBP Dropship), and verification services (PBP Verified™). One flat subscription replaces the need to manage separate retailer integrations, listing tools, and order feeds.

• Distribution access to 100+ retailer and platform integrations through one connection
• Continuous catalog optimization: auto-generated tags, attributes, retailer optimized descriptions, and retailer-compliant imagery
• Vendor compliance and verified claims that improve retailer confidence and your discoverability online
• Shopify integration, or a single dashboard to manage your listings across every connected retailer from one inventory feed
• Consolidated monthly payments

No. You connect your catalog to PBP once. We handle retailer-specific formatting, vendor compliance, and distribution to every retailer in our network from that single integration.

Mirakl is the marketplace technology that many retailers, including some in our network, run on the backend. PBP isn't a replacement for Mirakl; however we maintain a direct connection to it so your catalog flows through cleanly.
The benefit of working with PBP is we cover Mirakl’s per retailer connection fees and per transaction fees. 

None directly. PBP pays these fees on your behalf, so you get clear and predictable pricing with PBP that works for your business, which includes all fees for EDI, SPS, and Mirakl transactions.

Yes. Shopify remains your system of record for inventory and orders. PBP connects to your existing Shopify store and extends it: we optimize your catalog for retailer requirements and AI-era discovery, then distribute it across our retailer network, all synced back to the inventory you already manage in Shopify.

No. We're a technology and distribution layer, not a wholesale buyer or broker. We don't purchase your inventory or take ownership of it. That said, distribution access through PBP can and does lead to larger order volume with individual retailers over time, and we work alongside your existing sales reps and agencies rather than replacing them.

Our network includes 100+ retailers such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Anthropologie, Macy's, Kohl's, West Elm, and others across Home, Fashion, Kids, and Beauty categories. Access to specific retailers depends on category fit and retailer requirements. PBP’s relationship with Nordstrom gives our brands dedicated access to promotional events that most vendors don't get.

CatalogAgent continuously analyzes your product data against what shoppers are actually searching for, then auto-generates optimized tags, attributes, descriptions, and imagery so your listings meet each retailer's requirements without manual rework. PBP doesn't generate fake or generic listings the way some tools do; your unique brand story, verified claims, and real product descriptions stay the foundation of your catalog.

PBP Verified™ checks and confirms your product claims and certifications, then builds your credibility profile so PBP can stand behind your brand with retailers. We also build ongoing performance data based on fulfillment, returns, and inventory reliability. Verified brands rank higher in discovery and earn more shopper trust.

Onboarding follows a straightforward sequence:

1. Apply and create your PBP account
2. Connect your catalog (Shopify and other major platforms are supported)
3. Complete brand and product verification through PBP Verified™
4. Set your pricing and fulfillment details
5. Go live and start getting pitched across your eligible retailers

No, and that's intentional. PBP uses a curated model: brands go through PBP Verified and a review of category fit before distribution begins. This protects the retailer relationships that make the network valuable in the first place, and it's part of why retailers trust catalog data that comes through PBP.

Yes. Your catalog, verification status, and account setup carry over across every retailer in the PBP network. You don't re-apply or re-verify from scratch each time a new retailer relationship opens up; the work you've already done travels with you.

Yes, order and customer service inquiries for your products are handled by you or your team, the same as they would be on any retailer-direct or marketplace channel. PBP's dashboard gives you order and return visibility so you're not chasing that information down separately, but day-to-day customer communication stays with the brand.

There's no fixed minimum, but brands with a more complete, larger catalog typically see faster retailer uptake and stronger performance.

Yes. You can manage category and retailer eligibility from your dashboard as your catalog and capacity grow.

You do. PBP optimizes and distributes your catalog data on your behalf; we don't sell or share it outside the retailer connections you've opted into. You can download your catalog at any time as part of the subscription.

Returns are a normal part of any retail channel, and rates vary by retailer and category. PBP absorbs the return shipping cost, and charges a flat return processing fee per return so the cost is predictable rather than variable.

You can flag it as a dispute directly from your dashboard. Our team reviews the condition evidence from the retailer and confirms whether the return should be treated as standard or adjusted. Resolved disputes are credited in your next payout cycle rather than requiring a separate reconciliation step on your end.

We know accurate, close to real time reporting is essential for reconciling your own books, and we're actively investing in making the dashboard reflect return status, order status, and payout figures with less delay. If something in your dashboard looks off, our support team can pull an underlying report directly.

Payout timing and schedule details are confirmed during onboarding and shown in your dashboard. If you have questions about a specific payout, reach out to your account contact. We're focused on making payout timing and amounts predictable and easy to reconcile.

As with most retailer-mediated distribution models, checkout and shopper data belong to the retailer where the sale happened, not to PBP or to you directly. What PBP does give you is BrandIQ performance data (fulfillment, returns, inventory) and visibility into how your listings perform across the network, so you can see what's working even without direct shopper contact info.

Onboarding time depends on your catalog size and category; apparel and sized items involve more steps than non-sized goods. PBP Verified™ review runs alongside catalog setup rather than after it, so it doesn't have to add extra time to your launch.

PBP's core offering is catalog optimization and distribution access, not wholesale brokerage. Distribution access can and does lead to larger order volume with individual retailers, but it isn't a guarantee of wholesale placement. We want to be direct about that upfront so it's not a surprise later.

We're migrating all brands to the new subscription model with standardized pricing. If you're on a legacy plan, our team will reach out directly with your transition details and timeline; see the Shopify note above, or contact your PBP representative.