Dive Brief:
- Lula Commerce added a number of features to Lula Direct, its first-party delivery technology, this summer, according to an announcement from the company.
- The changes include improved product discoverability, more flexible payment options, updated age verification, the addition of tobacco ordering and more granular fee customization, according to the announcement.
- The updates aim to improve the customer experience while giving retailers more control over their first-party ordering.
Dive Insight:
Lula’s new features can help retailers make their first-party ordering experience operate more like popular third-party sites like Uber Eats.
Checkout updates include an improved payment processing display, automated SMS order tracking, per-store fee configuration and the ability to split payments between SNAP/EBT and other methods.
Age-restricted items received updates, with tobacco ordering now live where permitted by law and server-side age verification available for both signed-in customers and guests.
Discoverability changes include improved searches designed to understand typos or vague requests, shelves of recommended items that can change dynamically during the day and personalized recommendations.
Product pages now also suggest popular pairings and other upselling options to shoppers based on purchase trends. Additionally, Lula Direct now features full Spanish language support.
Lula offers first- and third-party delivery support for c-stores, dollar stores, QSRs and more, along with AI agents, virtual kiosks and analytics, according to the company website. The company has announced partnerships with major c-store retailers including Jacksons Food Stores, United Pacific and Circle K franchisee Gas Express.
