Dive Brief:
- InConvenience Inc. has partnered with c-store e-commerce provider Lula Commerce to add first- and third-party delivery to all of the convenience retailer’s stores, the companies announced on Wednesday.
- The retailer also tapped e-commerce firm Velocity Logic to power its loyalty program across its 20 locations in Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas, according to a LinkedIn post from Vik Mehta, Velocity Logic’s head of business, partnerships and growth.
- Convenience retailers continue boosting their e-commerce capabilities, with Chestnut Market and double kwik both recently adding delivery.
Dive Insight:
Customers will be able to order from stores across InConvenience’s banners — The Gas Spot and The Goods Spot — either through the company’s website and app or through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub, according to the press release.
The retailer can set menus, prices and inventory for all channels from one dashboard, according to the press release. Lula handles order management, business intelligence and performance analytics, taking those tasks off workers’ shoulders.
With c-store turnover typically above 100% according to NACS, this type of technology can help keep store employees from getting overburdened.
“Convenience isn't just about being nearby. It's about being there when and how our customers need us,” said Tiffany Fraley, CEO of InConvenience. “Our partnership with Lula expands that promise by giving customers more ways to shop while allowing our store teams to keep doing what they do best: serving their communities.”
Many of InConvenience’s locations to date were formerly owned by Mountain Express Oil and SQRL, both of which ceased operations amid Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
