Tech company NearSt has created new software that allows convenience retailers to automatically connect their in-store inventory to home delivery platforms.
It works by linking to the retailer’s EPoS systems, ensuring their in-store availability is displayed live on the apps.
NearSt said the technology brought a range of benefits, including minimising the chance of failed orders because of inaccurate stock, and saving staff time by avoiding hours of manual work and “tedious” data entry.
Forecourt operator Pricewatch, which works with Morrisons Daily and Nisa, was the first retailer to leverage NearSt’s real-time local inventory feeds with delivery platforms in September 2024.
It has since seen “significant results” in streamlining operations, including 913% sales growth across last-mile platforms in the first three months, and a 233% increase in Just Eat sales alone.
Pricewatch has also saved 59 hours per month in menu management and a 37% reduction in failed orders weekly.
“This technology represents an important step forward for convenience retail,” says NearSt co-founder and CEO Nick Brackenbury. “We’re empowering local retailers with capabilities that were previously out of reach.
“With our extensive network of over 150 point-of-sale partners alongside our last-mile delivery integrations, we enable retailers to seamlessly transform their last-mile offering into a genuine competitive advantage and revenue driver.”
Pricewatch general manager Tom Buckley said: “We tried multiple digital partners and previously spent hours manually uploading inventory data. Then NearSt just comes along and makes it work. We’ve saved so much time and have been able to reallocate it elsewhere to get much more done. From an operational time-saving aspect, NearSt has been invaluable.”
Pricewatch marketing manager Claire Goddard said: “NearSt has made it achievable for us to run a cost-effective last-mile operation that’s saving us a huge amount of time and money.
“We now have a flawless and professional menu that rivals those of the major supermarket chains, making it a dream for our customers to shop and buy on.”
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