Onboarding Vendors
Start Local
- Focus initial outreach on independent stores and chains in the metro area. Establish a local footprint before expanding.
- Attend chamber of commerce events to network with retail owners and promote the service.
- Partner with complementary local startups – offer cross-promotions to each other’s users and split costs of marketing campaigns.
Lead With Benefits
- Increased order volume and revenue by tapping into delivery demand. Expand customer reach.
- Provide data insights into best selling items and peak order times.
- Listing on the platform drives discovery of stores consumers otherwise may not find.
- Delivery opens up new customer demographics like busy parents and seniors.
Make Logistics Seamless
- Offer plugins for existing POS systems to easily manage and transmit orders to the delivery fleet.
- For stores without a POS, provide a tablet loaded with StoreRun’s simplified order interface.
- Onboard stores in small batches so driver supply meets delivery demand. Avoid unfulfilled orders.
- Startup supplies like thermal bags at wholesale costs take logistics friction off the merchant.
Minimize Risks
- No upfront fees or exclusivity required for merchants. Try the service risk-free.
- Clear policies on data ownership – merchant owns their sales data and customer relationships.
- Incorporate feedback early and often. Businesses want a voice in new services impacting them.
Incentivize Adoption
- Free delivery promotions funded by StoreRun to get first-time app users ordering from partner brands.
- Discounts on StoreRun’s merchant commission during an initial trial period.
- Gift cards for referring fellow business owners to enroll. Word of mouth is powerful.
- Highlight enrolled brands on the consumer app home page as “new” and “trending”.
Retaining Vendors
Drive Sales
- Provide merchandising insights to optimize items carried for delivery based on analytics.
- Feature high rating vendors in targeted push notifications and personalized recommendations to boost orders.
- Consult on packaging best practices for transportation – streamline utensils, sauces, napkins.
- Upsell merchants on advertising – promoted search placements, customized coupons.
Strong Support
- Ensure vendor operations team is responsive via phone, email, and in-person.
- Design self-service merchant portal with FAQs, knowledge base, and training videos. Offer live support chat.
- Create merchant advisory council to solicit feedback and gauge satisfaction.
- Local community managers regularly visit stores for guidance and relationship building.
Ongoing Success Reviews
- Track key metrics on vendor performance – sales volumes, margins, customer feedback.
- Set quarterly business reviews to discuss trends, issues, and growth opportunities.
- Provide benchmarking data so merchants can assess performance versus peers on the platform.
Recognize Top Partners
- Highlight vendors with the most orders and highest customer ratings.
- Annual awards event for store owners who excel in areas like reliability, innovation, and volume growth.
- Feature story newsletter and blog series profiling successful merchants on the platform.
Cultivate Loyalty
- Implement a partner loyalty program – points for completing milestones that lead to rewards. Offer redeemable perks.
- Special merchant rewards levels with greater benefits based on tenure and order volume.
- Partner perks like access to exclusive events, early previews of new developments, input sessions.
By focusing on adding value for both new and established vendors, StoreRun will build a robust and diverse merchant marketplace, delivering everything local consumers need from our loyal vendors.