4 Winning Retail and Brand Partnership Examples

We all know the adage, “Two heads are better than one.” Sure, it may seem like an overused phrase, but when it comes to standing out on the digital shelf, you might be surprised how much brands can gain by working together.

Forging strong, creative retail and brand partnerships can be a powerful way to share resources, expertise, and brand reach for the mutual benefit of both parties.

Here are four excellent examples of brand and retail partnerships that illustrate just how effectively these kinds of creative collaborations can generate results.

4 Innovative Brand and Partnership Examples 

There’s power behind a creative partnership between a brand and a retailer — and these four examples showcase that power perfectly.

Target and Levi’s

When you think of designer jeans, Target likely isn’t the first retailer that comes to mind. But the megastore is hoping to change that. 

In 2020 — when many brick-and-mortar retailers were still deep in crisis mode — Target teamed up with Levi’s to launch dozens of “store-in-store” locations, and also bring their signature, higher-end Red Tab jeans to Target’s shelves. 

That partnership continued to blossom last year, with Target offering 100 exclusive Levi’s brand products you can’t get anywhere else, including pajamas, dog beds, and even ottomans.

Their goal was to have 500 Levi’s “store-in-store” locations at Targets across the United States by the fall of 2021. 

Not only did the partnership deliver on that goal, but they also expanded to 300 more stores in 2022, bringing the total collaboration to 800 Target stores across the country. The denim brand expanded its Target offerings to include new tops, trucker jackets, fleece, and more.

For Target, working with an established brand gives customers another reason to visit their stores. Levi’s can now tap into Target’s massive customer reach and connect with more shoppers than they would have alone. 

Amazon and Best Buy

Amazon and Best Buy have long been retail “frenemies” — direct competitors still willing to play ball when it makes sense, such as in 2010 when Best Buy began selling the Amazon Kindle. 

That relationship strengthened in 2018, when Best Buy became the first retailer to offer Amazon’s Fire TVs in a brick-and-mortar setting.

In 2021, the deal expanded to allow Best Buy to include Fire TV’s operating system on a number of models produced by Best Buy’s in-house brand, according to The Verge. 

It was a smart move: Most shoppers are reluctant to drop hundreds of dollars buying a television online without first checking it out in person, and Best Buy devotes a great deal of their sales floor to showcasing high-end sets.

For Best Buy’s part, they were allowed to sell their TVs on Amazon for the first time in the company’s history. 

The example is particularly interesting when you consider more than a few analysts predicted Amazon might outright purchase Best Buy a la Whole Foods — however, Amazon was able to leverage the benefits of Best Buy’s retail footprint via creative brand partnership, not acquisition, says Inc.

And that partnership continues to expand. In 2022, for example, Best Buy adopted Amazon’s AWS Cloud infrastructure, signaling ongoing investment in the partnership. However, with Best Buy launching a 48-hour flash sale to directly compete with the 2023 Amazon Prime Day event, it’s clear these two will likely remain frenemies.

Home Depot and Pinterest

Have you ever gotten excited to find the perfect design, aesthetic, or product on Pinterest, only to sink with disappointment when you realize that you have no idea where to find something like that? 

Thanks to some innovative collaboration, pinners can now quickly “Shop the Look” of their favorite pins, using a visual search engine that connects their favorite designs with products available at Home Depot.

Shoppers can search an impressive array of more than 100,000 home decor products, from vanities to faucets, based on “look” alone. 

The move harnesses the “do-it-yourself” interests of both brand’s customers, increasing traffic to Pinterest while increasing sales for Home Depot.

As shoppers increasingly consult social channels for advice before making a big purchase, consider how your brand can leverage those spaces while removing unnecessary barriers to purchase.

Bombas and Pixar

The popular sock brand Bombas increased its reach in 2023 by tapping into an entirely new market via a partnership with major animation company Pixar.

The Pixar Collection includes socks of all styles featuring everyone’s favorite characters from Pixar films like “Toy Story,” “Up,” “Monsters, Inc.,” and more. Customers can even get sock packs in gift boxes for holiday shopping.

Pixar fans can relish in the nostalgia of their cherished films as they shop for comfy socks. And like the other brand and retail partnership examples on this list, this one packs major benefits for both companies: Pixar extends its relevance and brand awareness, while Bombas can expand to a new set of loyal customers.

Additionally, the partnership enables Pixar to benefit from Bombas’ culture of giving: The sock brand is best known for its sustainable production process and their “buy one, give one” donation system. 

Target and LEGO

Target makes another appearance in our round-up for their impressive partnership with LEGO in 2021, offering much more than building blocks for the holiday season. 

The Target exclusive line included more than 300 LEGO-designed products, including stylish clothes, home decor, and other must-haves for any LEGO fan from ages 4 to 99. 

“Target is one of the leading destinations for families when shopping for the [LEGO] brand,” Target Chief Merchandising Officer Jill Sando said at the time. “We saw an opportunity to come together with one of our long-standing partners to create something truly special for our guests during a time of year when differentiation and value are paramount.”

Since beginning this partnership, Target and LEGO have come up with innovative ideas to keep things fresh, such as spotlighting LEGO collectibles in Target’s 2023 Fall Geek-Out event. That same year, the partners launched their 100 Years of Fairytales customer engagement event in which Disney fans submitted LEGO creations for a chance to win a spot on Target’s shelves.

It’s a great example of a brand not only thinking out-of-the-box with inventive product branding, but finding the right partner to maximize the impact of your campaign.

Generate Killer Results With the Right Partnerships 

These four examples of brand and retail partnerships are proof that brand collaborations done right can make a huge impact.

By joining forces, these powerhouses were able to enhance the shopping experience in captivating, creative ways that generated results.