INFRA and ECRS Partner to Drive Member Efficiencies and Growth

Independent Natural Foods Retailer Association (INFRA) and retail technology vendor ECR Software Corporation (ECRS) formed a partnership to create a stronger community of independent natural foods retailers.

"INFRA is a tremendous advocate for natural foods retailers and its innovative programs are helping members to achieve unprecedented success in a highly competitive market," said ECRS President and CEO, Pete Catoe. "We will collaborate with INFRA to bring our technology to its many respected members. This is a great opportunity for all parties involved."

INFRA is a growing cooperative of independent natural foods retailers in the United States providing operational, purchasing, and marketing support for 100+ stores. In addition to its established position as the leading point-of-sale (POS) provider to natural products retailers, ECRS offers proprietary DemandFill consumer-based order generation and LogicSync -powered Supplier Gateway technology which facilitates bi-directional eCommerce between retailers and their suppliers. These technologies combine to dramatically advance inventory management and supply chain efficiencies while improving order accuracy for retailers.

"DemandFill consistently provides a clean order, eliminating human error from manual entry or incorrect counts,” said Scott Shimoda of INFRA-member store, Bi-Rite Market, San Francisco. “When ordering from our main vendor, it used to take up to four hours, and we did it three times a week. Now it takes about 30-45 minutes per order and that includes spot checking and review. Receiving is much easier because Gateway transfers the completed order information to Catapult and a Price and Cost Change worksheet is generated based on the shipped order."

The executive management of ECRS and INFRA have agreed to work together in order to perfect a competitive advantage for the benefit of INFRA members by providing a structure through which members are able to easily and affordably implement ECRS technology. To increase member adoption of ECRS's proven technology, INFRA will endorse, support and market ECRS as its preferred POS and retail automation solution provider. This partnership places great focus on getting solution-based technology in the hands of INFRA members in order to improve efficiencies, provide critical store data, increase sales, and strengthen retailer/supplier relationships.

"This strategic partnership with ECRS will enhance INFRA members technology options," said Corinne Shindelar, CEO of INFRA. "ECRS will be a great partner for INFRA and its retail members by supporting our growth through increased efficiencies."