Online shopping platform in running for international award

A Northern Irish-built online shopping platform is in the running for a top international award for innovation during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Mercury Order is designed to help make ‘shop local’ digital by giving independent retailers everywhere a cost-effective online ordering system for their customers.

The software was designed during lockdown by Derry-based digital growth agency Grofuse to allow smaller retailers to offer online shopping for home delivery and collection, as well as helping them to compete online against supermarket multiples.

The software has now been nominated as a finalist in one of the world’s leading e-commerce trade exhibitions. The E-Commerce Expo 2020 has shortlisted the retail software in two separate awards categories: ‘Best E-commerce in Lockdown’ and ‘Best E-Commerce Technology Innovation/Best Product at the E-Commerce Expo’.

“Essential in tough times and convenient for all times, Mercury Order was conceived amid the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic to help safeguard business for small, independent retailers while affording protection to their staff and their customers,” Grofuse director, Ian Cullen, said.

“Mercury Order champions efforts to create a level playing field for local retailers everywhere, as they fight back against the online surge of larger supermarket multiples. Our software is the cost-effective solution for grocers, butchers, bakers, delis, farmers’ markets/greengrocers and others to make ‘shop local’ digital.”

The 2019 E-Commerce Expo and Technology for Marketing event attracted around 15,000 delegates to London’s Olympia where 150 exhibitors showcased their products and services. This year’s leading industry event will take place virtually over three days with more than 60 seminars and over 50 expert speakers in attendance.”