Flashfood, the affordable grocery marketplace, today announced the launch of Flashfood for Independents, a new offering designed specifically for independent grocery stores. This initiative aims to support local retailers by providing a flexible, efficient, and easy-to-integrate solution that attracts new customers, increases profits, and provides access to affordable fresh food while reducing food waste. With over 27,000 independent grocery stores in North America playing a crucial role in their communities, this platform addresses the unique challenges these small businesses face in a competitive retail environment.
“Our goal with this launch is to provide a lifeline to these businesses, many of which are addressing food access challenges in hyper-urban or rural areas,” said Nicholas Bertram, CEO of Flashfood. “We hope to empower these grocery stores to attract more shoppers and increase their revenue.”
Flashfood for Independents builds on the existing Flashfood platform, already available in over 2,200 corporate stores across North America. Participating grocery stores have seen an average discount of 27%, one or more additional store visits per month, and $20 in additional sales per month. The new platform offers the same benefits, but with customizable elements to meet the needs of independent grocery stores, including those with a single location, small teams, or changing inventory. It integrates seamlessly with store operations, improving their ability to respond to market demands and operational needs.
The new platform is already live in more than ten independent stores across North America, including Country Squire Foods in Chicago Heights, Illinois; Supermercado Mexico in Wyoming, Michigan; and Petique Boutique in Scarborough, Ontario. It will launch in select Earth Fare stores later this summer, with plans to add over 100 independent grocery stores by the end of the year.
Flashfood for Independents offers the following features and services:
- Quick and easy integration without inventory data ingestion, allowing manual publishing to the Flashfood Partner app on standard grocery store devices.
- Flexible pickup models tailored to each grocery store’s layout and footprint, with unique display kits delivered to stores.
- Automated reporting suite that delivers actionable insights most useful to each grocery store.
- Personalized partner support hub with dedicated customer service team members assigned to Flashfood independent retailers.
“Independent grocery stores are the heart of the communities they serve,” said Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association. “These local businesses provide critical support to food banks, community groups, and more. Supporting your local independent grocer helps keep taxpayer dollars in the community while providing a hub for food collection, economic development, and, most importantly, nutritious food for families.”
