Independent food retailers throughout the UK could reap the rewards of internet shopping if a project set up by a Birmingham businessman gets off the ground.
Mylocalshop.co.uk has been launched to enable independent grocers, butchers and fishmongers in selected Birmingham postcodes to sell their products to consumers who log on to the site.
Shoppers make their choices and pay online. Site technicians inform the stores and coordinate delivery times.
Although it has just two retailers signed up and has yet to deliver an order, md John Hemming thinks the service could eventually be a major threat to the multiples.
"We anticipate the service to be up and running nationally, once we have sold the idea of online shopping to independent retailers," he said.
He envisages a nationwide network of specialist independent retailers.
"Why should the big boys win on this one local retailers can provide just as good a service if they work together," he added.
He refused to reveal how much had been invested in Mylocalshop.co.uk and admitted there had been "teething problems" with the software.
"It will be a force to be reckoned with but we have to start small first to make sure the product is right," he said.
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