T MARKET digitalization: from zero to a fully functioning online store in less than 45 days

We all well remember the turbulent 2019-2020 years. At that period, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been transformed. Of course, all online and physical businesses were also affected.

Our partners from T MARKET also fell into this category. But unlike many other businesses with only physical stores, T MARKET saw opportunities where others saw challenges. Despite their zero online experience and the wrong time to start their digital transformation (at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic), they were one of our first clients to make the decision to start building their online presence.

Another impressive fact is that with our help, T MARKET was able to go from a conceptual level to a fully functioning online store in a record time (for a brand of that scale).

When asked how long it took them to build the online store, Mladen Vladimirov - Head of Online Trade, answered:

We did it very quickly because the situation demanded it. If you remember 2020, because of the Covid crisis, people stopped going into the shops. And we decided to be the first in the market to take a risk and do an online store. And we did it very quickly, in maybe a month, month and a half - from idea to launch.

Watch the short video testimonial:

We are proud that CloudCart was the partner that helped T MARKET to expand online. We helped them create a user-friendly online store that meets all user requirements.

Of course, the administration, management, and integrations with all the necessary features, platforms, and tools to manage the online version of T MARKET that their team needed were provided and set up by us.

We supported them by:

• Sharing our eCommerce experience gained over more than a decade
• We set up and integrated CloudCart and T MARKET with the platforms needed to keep the store running smoothly online.
• We answered all of T MARKET customers' custom needs - from easy-to-use units of measure to a customized shipping time slot, they got everything they needed to shop with confidence.

Now, let's take a look at some of the specific problems we solved for T MARKET.

The Challenge

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In order to lay a solid foundation for T MARKET's future online progress, no small number of unique challenges had to be resolved. Many of the problems arose because of the scant time for advance planning, the dynamic situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the specific needs of the brand itself.

Building an online store selling fast-moving consumer goods, such as food, requires specific know-how and technology that we are proud to have been able to provide.

Some of the specific challenges for T MARKET which CloudCart eliminated:

1. Limited experience in e-commerce
2. Challenging moment to start digitalization due to Covid-19
3. Need for three-way integration between ERP, POS, and CloudCart
4. The need for each product to have a precise unit of measurement
5. Requirement for fast communication between software without errors and delays
6. The execution of orders from different warehouses
7. Customized choice for day and time of delivery
8. View available suppliers in real time
9. The need for flexible pricing for delivery depending on the location

The solution

In order to meet all the needs of our T MARKET partners, we needed to go beyond the standard "build an online store". We did our best to provide our tried and tested tips combined with custom integrations, customizations and tweaks.

We view our work with T MARKET as a concrete demonstration of our eCommerce-as-a-service philosophy. Now, let's list some of the case-specific solutions CloudCart provided.

1. Expert knowledge: At CloudCart we understand the specifics of eCommerce. From the moment of our first meeting with T MARKET, we focused on facilitating their first step into the online space and provided the necessary one-on-one support and knowledge.
2. Quality processes and team: Our commitment to the project with T MARKET was total, as it is with each of our other clients. Of course, our team also created a specialized plan that met the specific unique needs of T MARKET.
3. CloudCart API: The integration between our API, ERP system, and POS/VPOS provided a seamless connection between T MARKET's various systems, with orders, inventory, and logistics updated in real-time.
4. Units of Measure and Deferred Payment: We provided tools to accurately measure the value of each order, which contributed to more accurate and correct pricing - thanks to our "deferred payment" functionality.
5. Increase capacity: Thanks to our Google Cloud infrastructure, T MARKET can process up to 600 requests per second.
6. Real-time communication: Our solutions allow real-time stock updates to the specific warehouse or store the customer is ordering from.
7. Time slots for delivery: We have provided a system that allows customers to choose a day and time for delivery that is convenient for them.
8. Supplier system: We created a mechanism that determines the capacity of suppliers in real-time, thus optimizing the delivery process.
9. Flexible pricing: We have developed a system that allows T MARKET to set different delivery prices depending on the customer's region.

The Result

The statistics listed below speak for themselves, but let's quote Mladen Vladimirov, Head of Online Trade at T MARKET Online again. His answer to the question "What percentage do online orders take of the total turnover" was as follows:

Big enough to continue to grow it (the online store) and invest in that market. After all, the online market is growing all the time and realistically this is the future of commerce.

To finish, let us share with you some of the most impressive results of T MARKET Online:

1. T MARKET Online became one of the top 5 online grocery stores in Bulgaria
2. Achieved over 200,000 visits per month
3. Our client achieved and maintained an impressive Conversion Rate of over 4%
4. They have over 10,000 orders on a monthly basis, results only for the Sofia and Plovdiv regions
5. Achieved 85% loyalty among its customers
6. They offered a variety of over 10,000 products

In this Case Study we demonstrated how T MARKET managed to create their vision, implement key innovations, and find the right partner in us. In doing so, they were able to carry out a true digital transformation and adapt to the new conditions, turning challenges into opportunities and success in their market. 

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