Single-brand artisan vs. multi-brand fragrance boutique, how does the Magento build differ?

Two very different builds, even though both are “fragrance Magento.” The honest cut:

Single-brand artisan candle / fragrance maker (e.g. P.F. Candle Co., Boy Smells in their first 3 years, Otherland) needs: hero brand-story content, scent quiz tuned to your 30-80 SKUs, personalization (engraving + custom label + gift wrap is heavily used), gifting calendar with dated delivery, subscription (Otherland-style monthly), Klaviyo lifecycle, that’s it. Catalog stays under 100 SKUs even at $5M GMV. Build cost typically $4,999, $12k. Shopify is often enough; Magento wins at $3M+ when hazmat ship rules + subscription complexity outgrow Shopify apps.

Multi-brand fragrance boutique (e.g. Credo, Twisted Lily, Indigo Perfumery) needs everything the single-brand brand needs plus: brand-portal CMS templates per brand, MAP pricing rules per brand, brand-specific geographic restrictions, customer-group trade pricing for perfumers / stylists, monthly sell-through reports back to brand HQ, brand-attribute faceted nav, brand-specific shipping rules (Le Labo ground-only on top of hazmat). Catalog hits 500-3,000 SKUs across 20-60 brands. Build cost $15k, $50k. Shopify struggles with the MAP + brand-portal layer; Magento wins clearly.

Hybrid (single-brand boutique that also sells other lines, like P.F. Candle Co. carrying friend-brand candles) is a mini multi-brand setup, pick Magento day one.