DrinksBox, an e-commerce drinks platform that connects hospitality businesses directly with drinks suppliers for faster and more efficient direct ordering, has expanded into grocery.
The AI-powered platform promises to help lessen “the operational burden typically associated with managing multiple smaller suppliers”, enabling retailers to launch “more independent drinks brands into their ranges”.
It works by allowing suppliers to sell stock directly from bond while leveraging the warehousing and distribution network of DrinksBox’s logistic partner, London City Bond.
For retailers and operators, this enables orders from multiple suppliers to be consolidated into a single delivery, with a single invoice rather than multiple supplier invoices and payment runs.
DrinksBox is the brainchild of drinks industry veteran Jeremy Hill, who previously built and led spirits wholesaler Hi-Spirits before serving as managing director of Proof Drinks until 2022.
Hill launched the platform in March, after a four years as a non-executive director at Proof, alongside stints on the boards of Mixtons, Cazcabel Tequila and The Artisan Drinks Co.
“Retailers want access to innovation, but every new supplier adds work across procurement, logistics and finance,” said Hill. “That creates a practical limit on how many smaller brands can be brought in efficiently.
“DrinksBox removes that friction by giving retailers access to a broader range of independent brands through a single supply relationship via our AI-driven platform. As we continue to expand our supplier network, we’ll be able to connect retailers with an even broader range of drinks brands through one streamlined route to market.”
Meanwhile, suppliers using the platform would benefit from “being paid in as little as seven days”, as well as having as well as full control over pricing promotions and relationships, Hill said.
The favourable payment terms were designed to “ease the cash flow pressures often associated with supplying major grocery retailers”, he added.
DrinksBox has recently appointed former Thatchers commercial director Jon Nixon as its CEO.
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