Local shops become online retailers
A UK entrepreneur has developed an e-commerce product that will enable local retailers to provide their products through an online shop. The software is called BuyLocalShops.com and will let shops supply goods to their local communities.
When a shop signs up to the service they are then able to access their own area on the buylocalshops.com website. They then record the quantity and price of individual goods that they want to make available through the online shop. Once this is completed the shop can be online within 15 minutes.
All of the retailer’s stock is updated and live in real-time on the BuyLocalShops.com website. Customers are then able to buy goods through a click and collect service. Shops can also offer a local delivery service.
BuyLocalShops.com has been developed by Russ Whitlock, who said: “The concept is simple, get local shops more business and get local communities to buy locally. The technology is simple to use and means that the local store can have an online store up and running in minutes.
“Many local stores have reluctantly had to close their doors to regular shoppers as they were unable to effectively adopt social distancing measures. This offers them a way to continue trading without large numbers of people entering their shop.
“But of course, for those grocery shops that have continued to remain open it provides a great way for them to provide an additional service to their customers.”
When a customer places an order via the online system the retailer receives a notification. The retailer then accepts the order and prepares the goods ready for collection or delivery.
The BuyLocalShops.com system also provides the retailer with a complete stock control system. This shows them which items have sold and when they need to re-order.
