BELLINGHAM, Wash., Sept. 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unified Grocers, Inc., one of the largest member-owned grocery cooperatives in the western United States, has begun introducing a next generation software service offered by Accelitec, Inc., to its members.
Accelitec | interact is an innovative software service that helps retailers move beyond the traditional way of discount pricing to improve customer retention and store profitability.
As the challenges of the current economy continue, the importance of delivering ongoing value, convenience, and relevancy to existing and new customers remains very high for Unified Grocer, Inc.'s independent retailers. Introducing Accelitec | interact to its independent retailers is an important way for Unified to help bolster the competitive advantage its members have in their local communities. Accelitec | interact enhances the shopping experience with a range of customer communications, including targeted marketing promotions, recall notifications, and other unique value added services.
The RFID-enabled program can also be used to motivate specific customer behavior, such as driving sales of particular products, increasing per-trip spending and accelerating the rate of return trips. In an industry where pricing wars and perishable inventory are the norm, Accelitec | interact provides a way for independent retailers to differentiate their business without compromising lean margins or creating unsustainable customer expectations.
"Bringing Accelitec | interact to customers throughout the west is consistent with Unified Grocers, Inc.'s goals of being a leader in our industry and a strong partner to the many fine independent retailers and communities we serve," said Dan Murphy, Senior Vice President, Retail Support Services, Unified Grocers, Inc. "We want to help our independent retailers do more than hold their own in a very competitive market, and this is an important way we can help them grow their market share."
"Working closely with Unified Grocers, Inc. will accelerate our ability to help bring meaningful competitive advantages to the independent retailer market," said Tom Bartz, founder and CEO of Accelitec. "We are excited to work closely with Unified Grocers, Inc.'s independent retailers to provide them with the tools they need to create long-lasting relationships and increase customer profitability."
About Unified Grocers, Inc.
Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers, Inc. is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified Grocers, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4.1 billion in sales during fiscal 2008, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.
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About Accelitec, Inc.
Accelitec, Inc. is a software development company located in Bellingham, Wash., delivering software-as-a-service solutions to the independent grocery market and other retail categories to achieve greater customer retention and acquisition goals.