Stater Bros. Markets is making technology investments through two new partnerships that will modernize how it engages shoppers and operates its stores.
The 90-year-old grocer is working with In-Store Marketplace to bring programmatic in-store media to its locations. It also has an agreement with NCR Voyix to deploy next-generation point-of-sale and payments solutions across its store network.
Through the ISM partnership, Stater Bros. will leverage ISM’s programmatic platform for in-store media integration combined with Mood Media’s hardware footprint. The setup enables streamlined campaign activation, centralized inventory management, targeting and programmatic buying capabilities.
The first phase of the rollout will focus on in-store audio, delivering relevant messaging to shoppers at the moment of purchase. Future phases will expand the network to include digital screens, creating a unified in-store media ecosystem.
Inventory for the in-store audio network will be sold through Vibenomics, enabling brands to activate campaigns at scale.
Loyal shoppers
With more than 2.5 million weekly store visits, Stater Bros. offers advertisers access to one of Southern California’s most loyal and locally rooted shopper bases.
Nearly half of Stater Bros. shoppers identify as Hispanic or Latino, with higher-than-average household income and a demonstrated openness to product discovery and trial.
“Regional grocers like Stater Bros. represent one of the most compelling opportunities in retail media today,” said Paul Brenner, ISM SVP of global retail media and partnerships. “Their focused footprint and trusted customer relationships enable brands to connect with shoppers in ways that feel relevant and impactful.
“By bringing together ISM’s retail media platform and Mood Media’s in-store technology, we’re building a scalable solution designed to support Stater Bros.’ long-term growth.”
90 years of service
Denise Singler, Stater Bros. VP of integrated marketing, said the in-store media rollout was designed with the customer experience in mind.
“This partnership enables us to thoughtfully introduce in-store media in a way that complements the shopping experience while supporting our community and our vendor partners in a way that stays true to our 90-year history as Southern California’s local grocer,” she said.
Retail media has become one of the fastest-growing channels in marketing, with U.S. advertisers projected to spend $71.09 billion in 2026.
The Stater Bros. partnership advances ISM’s expansion into regional grocery, where strong shopper engagement provides differentiated value for brands. Nearly 80 percent of shoppers say they trust their neighborhood brick-and-mortar grocery store more than national giants like Amazon or Walmart to offer fair, personalized deals.
Modernizing point of sale
In a separate but complementary technology investment, Stater Bros. is adopting Voyix POS and payments solutions to strengthen store-level operations and support continued innovation across its business.
A NCR Voyix customer for decades, Stater Bros. is signing on to the company’s newest commerce and payments solutions to improve reliability, increase operational efficiency and better support evolving customer expectations.
The agreement provides Stater Bros. with a modern commerce foundation on the Voyix Commerce Platform. The platform supports mission-critical store operations while enabling flexibility as business needs evolve.
The companies expect work to begin in the third quarter of 2026, starting with initial lab efforts, followed by phased deployments beginning in 2027.
“By expanding our relationship with NCR Voyix, we are embracing modern point-of-sale and payment solutions that enhance operational efficiency today while positioning our business for future adaptability,” said Gil Salazar, Stater Bros. SVP and chief information officer. “NCR Voyix’s deep industry expertise is reflected in its latest innovations, and we are excited to bring these advancements to our stores.”
Early success for the ISM partnership will be measured by advertiser demand, shopper receptivity and the ability to deliver value without disrupting the in-store experience.
[RELATED: Stater Bros. Expands Partnership With Afresh]