Co-op has partnered with eStoreBrands to launch Co-op Catalyst, a supplier analytics platform built for the UK convenience retailer's quick commerce (Q-commerce) operations.
The platform grants suppliers direct visibility into Co-op's Q-commerce data across coop.co.uk and its delivery aggregator partners.
Suppliers can monitor product performance, search rankings and store-level stock availability using the same data available to Co-op's own category team.
According to the retailer, this draws on its network of 2,300 convenience stores and its aggregator partnerships.
eStoreBrands product strategy vice-president Francis Nicholas said: “Quick commerce is one of the fastest growing channels in digital retail, and Co-op Catalyst gives suppliers the retailer's own view of it, which site monitoring alone cannot provide.”
Co-op said the pairing of digital shelf analytics with on-demand performance data has not previously been accessible to suppliers in the UK's Q-commerce convenience sector.
eStoreBrands is a digital commerce data provider serving consumer goods brands, tracking more than 3,000 retailer websites across over 70 markets, and works directly with retailers to provide suppliers with verified retailer data.
Co-op operations and Q-commerce director Kate McCrae said: “We are really excited about this partnership. Co-op is the UK's leading convenience store and a pioneer in quick commerce, where we now have around 90% reach across the UK.
“Co-op Catalyst will help unlock this channel, enabling suppliers to apply core category management principles to up-to-date data and recommend actions that accelerate growth for both their brands and Co-op."
The retailer also announced last week that it is extending its “store within a store” arrangement with value fashion retailers Peacocks and Bonmarché, adding six further concessions across its UK branches this month, which the retailer said will lift the total concession count to 20.
In February, Co-op signed a new five-year logistics contract with Cambridgeshire-based haulier Buffaload.
The deal covered the transport of ambient goods from Co-op’s national distribution centre in Coventry to 11 regional distribution centres, from where stock is then delivered to stores nationwide.
