LOS ANGELES – RetailCurrent, a new tool designed to connect online shoppers with specific products in nearby brick-and-mortar stores, has officially launched. The platform aims to bridge the gap between online product discovery and local retail availability for pleasure brands.
Addressing a Common Retail Challenge
The RetailCurrent tool allows pleasure brands to integrate a module directly into their product pages. This module provides online customers with directions to nearby retail locations that have the specific product in stock. According to a representative, while a brand's website might offer a general store locator, it often fails to indicate which nearby stores carry the exact product a shopper is viewing. This can lead to customers making phone calls, searching elsewhere, or abandoning their purchase.
Joreail Armstrong, a co-founder of RetailCurrent, elaborated on the tool's utility, stating that customers can discover a product online but still struggle to find it locally. Armstrong described this as a "missed opportunity" for both the brand that generated the interest and the retailer that invested in carrying the product. RetailCurrent aims to close this gap by helping shoppers locate products nearby and assisting brands in converting online marketing efforts into support for their retail partners.
The tool enables retailers to provide up-to-date confirmation of their in-store product availability. Additionally, it offers distributors the capability to contribute data to help customers find retail options, while simultaneously safeguarding private partner and distribution records. A representative noted that this functionality creates sales opportunities for retailers and helps drive replenishment orders for brands and distributors.
Armstrong further emphasized the value proposition, stating that retailers invest time and money in inventory, staff education, and the customer experience. He indicated that RetailCurrent seeks to ensure that the interest generated by a brand online helps these stores secure sales. When shoppers can easily find the desired product nearby, retailers have a better chance to earn that business, which in turn supports the brands and distributors involved.
Co-Founders and Contact Information
RetailCurrent was co-founded by Joreail Armstrong and Khalid Shannak. For additional information, interested parties can visit RetailCurrent.net or contact [email protected].
Market Context and Similar Solutions
The launch of RetailCurrent comes amidst a broader trend of companies developing tools to connect online commerce with local retail inventory. For example, Locally, described as an "infrastructure layer for local commerce," aims to make real-time store inventory discoverable and shoppable across various digital surfaces. Locally reports having over 62,000 stores with live inventory and more than 1,000 brands on its platform, influencing over $1.6 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) monthly. This platform facilitates same-day pickup or delivery options and allows for online reservations and in-store payments.
Other solutions in the market include Storepoint and Storemapper. Storepoint offers a customizable store locator app, with a "Starter" plan priced at $25 per month, supporting up to 200 locations and two team members. It includes features such as importing from spreadsheets, searching by address, city, ZIP, or postal code, and filters for products and services. Storemapper also provides a customizable store locator app for Shopify and other websites, designed for brands with complex location networks. Storemapper highlights features like bulk location management, advanced filtering, multiple maps, custom branding, and built-in analytics. Storemapper reports over 22,000 total users, 7.1 million locations, and 162,000 searches.
Key Facts
- RetailCurrent is a new tool that connects online customers with specific products in nearby brick-and-mortar stores.
- It was co-founded by Joreail Armstrong and Khalid Shannak.
- The tool allows brands to integrate a module into product pages, showing nearby stores with confirmed product availability.
- Retailers can provide up-to-date in-store product confirmation, and distributors can contribute data.
- The platform aims to create sales opportunities for retailers and drive replenishment orders for brands and distributors.
- For more information, visit RetailCurrent.net or contact [email protected].
