Homesome

Homesome operates as an e-commerce platform provider, specifically designed to empower independent and regional grocery stores to compete in the digital marketplace. The company was established in 2014, with some sources indicating a 2017 founding, by Rahul Chabukswar, who currently serves as the CEO. Initially, Homesome started as an online grocery store itself, born from Chabukswar's frustration with the shortcomings of existing grocery delivery apps. A significant pivot occurred in June 2018 when local grocers approached the company for assistance in building their own online presence, shifting Homesome's focus to a B2B model. This transition proved timely, as the company experienced explosive growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the necessity for robust online ordering systems for all grocers.

The company's core offering is a comprehensive, all-in-one digital commerce platform that enables grocers to establish their own branded websites and mobile applications. This system is POS-agnostic, meaning it can integrate with a grocer's existing point-of-sale infrastructure, including systems from ECRS, NCR, and LOC SMS. A key challenge for online grocery is inventory accuracy; Homesome tackles this with an AI-powered system that predicts store inventory with up to 96.1% accuracy, drastically reducing the issue of out-of-stock items for online shoppers. The platform unifies a store's entire offering, from standard grocery items to prepared foods and catering, onto a single system. For customers, this translates into an enhanced shopping experience with features like AI-powered search, personalized recommendations based on dietary needs, access to over 10,000 shoppable recipes, and integrated loyalty programs. For the grocer, the platform automates operations, including order fulfillment through its Picking App, which improves picking efficiency and accuracy, and delivery logistics via integrations with services like DoorDash and Uber.

Homesome's business model is geared towards providing a Shopify-like solution for the grocery sector, allowing smaller retailers to build a thriving omnichannel strategy without relying on third-party marketplaces that can dilute brand identity. The company generates revenue by providing this platform to a range of clients, from small markets to large multi-store chains like Erewhon and Westside Market NYC. In September 2020, Homesome secured a $6.7 million Series A funding round, which brought its total funding to approximately $7.9 million. This capital has been instrumental in expanding its team and enhancing its technology, including the establishment of an R&D center in Israel.

Keywords: grocery e-commerce, independent grocer platform, online grocery solutions, retail technology, grocery delivery software, omnichannel grocery, AI inventory management, white-label grocery platform, digital grocery, food-tech, POS integration, e-commerce for supermarkets, shoppable recipes, grocery loyalty programs, online order fulfillment, Rahul Chabukswar, Westside Market, Erewhon, direct-to-consumer grocery, automated delivery