INDEPENDENT GROCERS
E-Commerce Solutions
Success Through Local Delivery SMALL BUSINESSES MUST ENSURE THAT THE Y’RE PRIORITIZING E-COMMERCE ENABLEMENT. By Harsit Patel
ocal businesses have long been the cornerstone of cities and towns across America. Every business encounters unique challenges, but a common concern we’re hearing is managing delivery from the store. Sometimes called “instant commerce,” this is the final step in the local e-commerce process – when an order finally reaches the customer. It’s an expensive service for any small-business owner, especially with small deliveries over a wide area. Since local delivery is now a major driver of customer experience and satisfaction, particularly for independent
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progressivegrocer.com
Using a white-label delivery service, independent grocers can continue to own the relationship with the customer and manage customer service directly.
grocers, this can be a big pain point. The pandemic forced grocers to take action, especially as regular customers stayed home and curbed spending, even for everyday household items. Delivery meant survival. Now that restrictions are loosening, businesses are re-evaluating delivery management. Delivering directly to customers instantly, reliably and affordably can still be a huge competitive advantage in a post-pandemic landscape, but companies need to weigh the costs of vehicles, drivers, logistics and more. In many cases, small-business owners don’t have the capital to invest in their own delivery fleet, or the time to dedicate to the logistics of maintaining a delivery service. Independent grocers must regularly navigate these complexities to keep