Retail Marketing International (RMI) have today announced the launch of The Independent Store Network, (TiSN), allowing brand owners to run shopper marketing campaigns in indie and c-stores.

A commercial partnership with EPOS company, In-Touch Group, TiSN will allow users access POS data to target campaigns and provide an insight into a unique range of hyper-local retail media touch points.

The network will also offer access to e-coupons with 100% purchase validation consisting of over 5,000 convenience stores located throughout the UK.

There are currently five separate EPOS providers participating, which will continue to scale as more partners join the network.

Gerry Hooper, managing director of In-Touch Group said: “It was crucial that we partnered with the right specialist agency who truly understood the Independent sector; We’re thrilled that RMI share our vision, bringing the strongest pedigree to our network and leveraging their experience in this marketplace.”

He added: “All of our data was clearly pointing towards the importance that local stores now play in the new normal.

“Working with In-Touch Group allows us to seamlessly co-ordinate complexity at scale for brands seeking to establish their core ranges and depth of distribution with truly powerful insights generated from every campaign.”

TiSN opens up new possibilities for Shopper Marketers to increase their brand presence, influence the supply chain, drive category sales and convert shoppers – all at the closest proximity possible to the point of purchase.

Stuart Tiedeman, managing director of RMI explained: “Consumer habits have changed unrecognisably since the beginning of the year; Shopping missions have also evolved at the fastest rate in living memory.

“This has opened up opportunities for us to help brands gain a significant advantage over their direct competitors, both inside and around the stores, by influencing shoppers in the communities most relevant to receive this amplified messaging.”