Schäflein launches local online marketplace for Schweinfurt

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Röthlein-based logistics company Schäflein is launching the regional online shop MainEinkauf.de today. Both customers and retailers should benefit from the platform in the long term.

Whether Franconian wine, coffee specialities or flowers – only products from retailers in Schweinfurt are listed on the digital marketplace. Customers can order goods from several retailers at the same time and have them bundled and delivered to their home.

While the product range is still small at the start, it is set to grow to a full range within the next few weeks. “Everything that can be bought on Amazon & Co. is also in stock at retailers in and around Schweinfurt,” says Raffael Malik, Project Manager of MainEinkauf.de. The platform serves as a digital shop window, where the entire range of products from Schweinfurt retailers will be available after a one-time login. In contrast to the well-known online giants, however, the local online marketplace offers several advantages.

Doing good with one click

If you order before 2 p.m., delivery in Schweinfurt and the surrounding area will be made on the same day. “Even the big online retailers can’t do that in Schweinfurt,” says Raffael Malik. The majority of deliveries in the city are also made quickly and emission-free by e-bike. Even more important, however, is that customers directly support local retailers with every purchase they make via the platform. For retailers, selling their products via the growing online shop is and remains free of charge.

Together for the region

The idea for the platform was born four weeks ago when setting up a courier service for Schweinfurt retailers. After numerous retailers had to temporarily close their shops in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, Schäflein joined forces with other regional companies to launch a local transport service to help them ship their goods to customers in the city and district. “It quickly became clear that many local retailers did not yet have their own online shop,” says Raffael Malik.

With the MainEinkauf.de platform, Schäflein is picking up on this and supporting Schweinfurt retailers in increasing their visibility online. “While online retail was already an important component before, it has become even more important during the coronavirus crisis and will continue to be an important sales channel that Schweinfurt’s retailers must utilise,” Malik is certain.

Project manager Raffael Malik (left) and courier driver Devran Hartmann (right) from MainEinkauf.de are looking forward to the launch of the digital marketplace.