US-based Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has partnered with online platform RangeMe to improve retail buying efforts for its members.
AWG vice-president for VMC division Anna Mancini said: "The technology and vendor interfacing that RangeMe provides will benefit our members and their customers.
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"By implementing the RangeMe platform, our category team can quickly locate and identify products that our members want, like organic items, baby, beauty products or locally relevant items or brands. It saves us time and money, which is passed on to our members."
The San Francisco-based online platform provides an efficient approach to discover new products and manage the inbound product submission process.
Besides, it gives suppliers increased control over the marketing of their products as well as greater access to retail buyers.
Last year, RangeMe has increased to almost 65,000 suppliers and more than 210,000 active products across all categories.
RangeMe CEO and founder Nicky Jackson said: "This partnership is a huge win for AWG's member-retailers as it will provide unprecedented access to innovative products and suppliers to satisfy their customers.
"As consumer needs constantly change, AWG's effort and commitment to continued growth has been key to the success of its member-retailers."
AWG executive director for VMC division Greg Oldright said: "Consumers are seeking and demanding an ever-expanding selection of speciality, organic, local and diverse and innovative array of products.
"RangeMe simplifies sourcing and allows for our buying teams to have access to a wide range of products at their fingertips."
AWG is a cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets. It serves over 3,800 locations in 35 states from 11 full-line wholesale divisions.
