New e-com solution Appy Shop aims to take local stores online

Appy Shop, a new e-commerce solution targeting independent stores, has gone live with over 50 stores on board.

The integrated solution, accessible through a website and an app, offer convenience stores and forecourts an online platform for home delivery or click & collect services.

“Appy Shop was born from retail and forecourt stores needing to keep up with changes in consumer shopping habits. By providing stores a platform that enhances their current offering, brings in new sales and grows their consumer base, Appy Shop provides an easy-to-use solution to combat modern challenges,” commented James Widdowson, group sales director.

As Appy Shop links directly into the EPoS in-store, retailers are spared from maintaining a separate product file, pricing structure and such other tasks needed for usual delivery services. In addition, the platform takes care of the tasks associated with selling products online, including adding detailed product descriptions, imagery, nutritional information, etc.

The firm said it is adding new stores to the network on a weekly basis.

“The reaction from retailers to Appy Shop has been fantastic, a lot of stores have been thinking about how they could offer an online service but now they have the answer. Our initial target for the year was to get 1,000 new stores active on Appy Shop, but I think we will now achieve even greater numbers,” Widdowson added.

Launched in mid February with just two stores as part of a pilot phase, the platform now has over 5,000 ‘New Consumer Visitors’ each week, with the total consumer viewing audience well over 30,000. The app version is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The firm added that each store has achieved an increase of over 90 transactions per week in the first three weeks, With an average basket spend of over £54, this translates to at least £4,500 increase in turnover week on week.

“The results we are seeing in stores are not by coincidence, a lot of planning, design and effort by everyone involved in the project has contributed. Also the retailers are to be commended, as they have really supported and embraced the new platform,” Widdowson said.

“Together we have created a solution that works alongside existing store operations, but now also offers that extra facility for modern day consumers”.