Why it matters: These are physical product companies that, arguably, are being valued like software companies, notes Axios’ Dan Primack.

All three companies have capitalized on a trend we’ve dubbed “the Instagramification of retail”: New retailers are conducting most of their business online but building out a small number of shops in the glitziest parts of big cities to function as profitable billboards.

• Shoppers — the majority of them Gen Zers and millennials — can swing by Rent the Runway’s swanky D.C. showroom or Glossier’s beautifully designed New York flagship to take a selfie or browse dresses and lipsticks as if walking around inside an Instagram post come to life.
• Casper’s stores, which are called “Dreameries” and include giant beds for patrons to take naps on, are also trying to sell the lifestyle instead of the mattress — in hopes the customer will eventually buy into both.

But, but, but: Such startups should beware the competition, says Moody’s lead retail analyst Charlie O’Shea. “One of the key risks to the innovator is the copycat phenomenon whereby a larger, better-capitalized company recognizes the opportunity and decides to compete in the space,” he says.

• This is already happening in the mattress industry. Amazon has Casper and other mattress sellers spooked with its recent entry into the industry.