Online packaged goods seller Brandless offers shoppers the option of one-time visits or a regular subscription service, and it aims to carry on with its simple online model rather than growing through retail partnerships, says executive Tina Sharkey. The site launched in 2017 with a transparency-focused model with all items priced at $3, although higher-priced goods have been added.

Brandless is rolling out a line of clean-label skin care products including plant-based facial wipes and rose water facial toner spray, at prices between $4 and $8. "Clean beauty is here to stay," says co-founder Tina Sharkey.

For Brandless, the direct-to-consumer retailer, nurturing a community is the key to building a brand. At NRF 2019: Retail's Big Show, Brandless CEO and co-founder Tina Sharkey emphasized the importance of direct relationships. "The path to purchase is way less important than the path to passion," she said. Watch a clip from Sharkey's session.

Brandless has won fans and a recent $240 million round of venture capital investment with a direct-to-consumer model and a wide array of goods in simple packaging that sell for about $3 each. "[We're] building a community that scales organically and virally," said CEO and co-founder Tina Sharkey.