For Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands built online, the next big step isn’t just more clicks, it’s a physical connection. As Shopify’s 2025 Retail Report emphasizes, 57% of shoppers want to touch and feel products in person, while 38% prefer buying online for in-store pickup. This evolving behavior shows why digital-first brands are increasingly anchoring themselves in the physical world.

The challenge lies in translation—how does a brand built through pixels, social engagement, and algorithmic loyalty transform its digital DNA into brick-and-mortar form?

Establish a Unified Brand Identity

A consistent experience is key. Lexie Becker, Brand Partnership Specialist at Fifth & Cor, explains, When it comes to DTC marketing, we recommend putting together a strong team who can evaluate your brand identity and determine what needs to be done to see improvement.

Brooklinen mastered this with retail spaces in Portland, Santa Monica, and Philadelphia, carrying the digital brand language into tactile environments.