Bodegas, independent convenience stores and small grocery stores in your area could begin offering delivery service through Uber Eats. National Retail Solutions, a point-of-sale platform for small retail stores, has partnered with Uber to provide 30-minute and 60-minute delivery service for bodegas and small grocery stores in the tri-state area. The program will begin with 700 stores and will ultimately grow to 20,000 locations over time. Uber and National Retail Solutions hope that this partnership will help independent stores “compete with larger industry players while boosting food access in urban areas.”
“Since its inception, Uber has striven to make inroads providing accessibility and opportunity to underserved markets,” Jason McHale of Uber Direct told Winsight Grocery Business.
“Our partnership with NRS will give small, local bodegas and grocery stores an opportunity to expand their reach through delivery and make more money, which is something we all should be excited about.”
Uber Eats is far from the first platform to offer such a service. Grubhub and Door Dash have both branched out to offer delivery services for independent grocers and non-restaurant retail locations.
“Bodegas and other small neighborhood stores are the backbone of every New York City community,” New York City Councilmember Julie Menin said, according to Winsight Grocery Business.
“The influx of rapid grocery delivery companies over the last couple of years has put a strain on these retailers and threatened our small businesses. Uber’s partnership with NRS can provide relief by helping update critical technological systems and offering delivery that is free for the merchant.”
