LOC Software and Local Express launched a unified commerce solution allowing grocers to manage in-store, online and marketplace sales through one platform, the companies announced Jan. 29.
The partnership addresses a key operational challenge for grocers struggling with labor shortages and inventory management. According to research for LOC’s 2026 Exploring Grocery Technology Trends Survey, 57 percent of grocers face labor shortages, and 49 percent say these shortages impact their ability to effectively manage inventory.
The integrated system automates product updates across digital platforms and synchronizes product data in real time for inventory accuracy across all sales channels. The solution eliminates manual work to harmonize data across in-store point of sale, online storefronts, digital marketplaces and third-party ordering platforms.
“Preparing product information for marketplaces and online ordering platforms has long been a pain point for grocers, and manual processes often lead to inconsistent information and poor customer experiences,” said Bagrat Safarian, CEO and co-founder of Local Express.
“Our partnership with LOC gives grocers a smooth onramp to eCommerce with a strong point of sale and back-office solution and contemporary user interfaces for digital sales. Those tools are no longer fragmented.”
LOC Software CEO Gilles Lapierre said the partnership gives grocers a solution that creates unified experiences no matter how customers choose to shop, which helps increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
“With decades of experience delivering reliable, enterprise-grade point-of-sale technology to independent grocers, LOC Software has built a reputation for robust, scalable solutions that retailers can depend on,” Lapierre said. “Together, we’re making this functionality accessible to independents, giving our customers a true competitive advantage and leveling the playing field with larger competitors.”
LOC and Local Express will introduce the solution at The NGA Show Feb. 1-3 in Las Vegas. The companies plan to continue working together to enhance the solution to benefit grocers expanding into new channels.
Laval, Quebec-based LOC Software has been at the forefront of retail technology for more than three decades. The company’s configurable suite of software solutions, ThriVersA, includes point of sale, back office, host, e-commerce, self-service and loyalty.
Glendale, California-based Local Express was founded in 2018 and enables regional grocery retailers to build, support and innovate omnichannel shopping experiences. The company has helped hundreds of retailers launch and maintain their first e-commerce storefronts. Local Express is an AI-native software platform built to drive omnichannel sales growth for grocery retailers.
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