IGooods

IGooods operates as an online platform for grocery ordering and delivery, positioning itself as a key player in the Russian e-grocery market. Founded in 2014 by brothers Grigory and Dmitry Kunis in Saint Petersburg, the company was born from Dmitry's desire to create a business resilient to economic crises and aligned with modern trends. Grigory Kunis, with a 20-year background in the media industry as a publisher, brought his management expertise to the venture. The company's service allows customers to order products from major hypermarket chains like METRO, LENTA, and Globus via its website or mobile application.

The business model is centered on providing a personal shopping service. Once a customer places an order, a dedicated personal shopper in the store physically picks the items, prioritizing freshness and quality, and consults the customer for substitutions if a product is unavailable. Orders are then delivered by couriers to the customer's home or office within a scheduled time frame, often as quickly as 90 minutes. This operational structure caters to both individual consumers, particularly families, and business clients needing office supplies. Revenue is generated primarily through a fixed delivery fee, which is set based on customer polling rather than the direct cost of service. IGooods also launched an advertising platform for manufacturers, creating another revenue stream.

The company has demonstrated significant growth, particularly during the pandemic, when it nearly doubled its workforce to 2,500 employees to meet surging demand. Financially, IGooods has secured a total of $6.88 million in funding over two rounds, with a notable Series A round of $4.9 million in August 2019 led by Joom. This investment supported its expansion and technological development. The company's proprietary technology, known as iG, integrates with retailers' inventory systems, allowing for real-time price and stock updates for customers. The firm has also expanded its reach through a franchise model, enabling partners to launch the service in new cities with an established operational framework and existing agreements with major retailers.

Keywords: e-grocery, grocery delivery, Russia, online supermarket, personal shopper, last-mile delivery, retail logistics, on-demand delivery, food delivery service, Grigory Kunis, Dmitry Kunis, Joom, METRO, LENTA, grocery franchise, e-commerce logistics, mobile ordering, home delivery, office delivery