Tech Vendors Collaborate on Efficient Curbside Orchestration

Three online grocery technology companies have combined to streamline digital grocery order fulfillment, providing what they called a “world-class” white-label solution that gives retailers new capabilities to pick orders, communicate with shoppers and orchestrate more efficient curbside pickup.

Mercatus Enhanced Fulfillment is available now for grocery retailers using Mercatus’ digital commerce solutions. The offering combines fulfillment technology from ShopperKit and Radius Networks’ FlyBuy location-based communications capabilities. The all-in-one solution will help retailers extend their brand experience beyond the store and meet shoppers’ needs with increased time slot availability, real-time communication, contact-free pickup and delivery, and record-low wait times at pickup, the companies said.

The solution allows online orders made through the Mercatus platform to be automatically sorted by ShopperKit into optimized preparation times and wave and zone pick paths to add speed and efficiency to the store order picking process. As employees pick and pack orders, they can connect with customers in real time for order substitutions and upsells. FlyBuy, in the meantime, can provide real-time location data for shoppers en route to pick up orders for a seamless pickup experience.

“Visibility into the entire customer journey, from the moment they place their order, to the moment they pick up their groceries, is crucial for the success of a curbside or BOPIS program,” Jeff Baskin, EVP of global partnerships for Radius Networks, said in a release. “Droves of new e-commerce customers have been forced to try curbside pickup out of necessity, but will continue to use the service out of convenience.”

“This partnership unlocks an enterprise-class, turnkey solution that gives grocers control of their online business through battle-tested technologies designed for the unique e-grocery challenges of online ordering, fulfillment, curbside and last-mile success,” added Jack Record, CEO of ShopperKit.