VTEX, a composable digital commerce platform, has been selected by H Mart, the largest Asian-American supermarket chain in the US. H Mart has more than 90 locations across North America. The contract is expected to support the company’s eCommerce operations alongside global creative agency VML. VML is a commerce systems integrator and implementation partner. This partnership marks a significant milestone for H Mart’s digital transformation by moving to a modern, SaaS commerce platform.
H Mart has successfully migrated from a legacy commerce platform to VTEX, launching two new online stores. H Mart consolidated their previously separate systems for dry and fresh goods into a unified commerce experience with VTEX. The new platform migration, completed in just seven months, allows customers to order both shelf stable and fresh products in the same cart, while also leveraging store inventory to provide real-time availability information and facilitate efficient picking and packing.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome H Mart to the VTEX family as our first major grocer in the US,” said Mariano Gomide de Faria, VTEX’s founder and co-CEO. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing a modern and scalable digital commerce platform catering to our clients’ unique needs. By leveraging VTEX’s platform, H Mart can deliver an enhanced shopping experience to its diverse customer base.”
VML spearheaded the migration. Chris D’Alessandro, VML’s Executive Director, emphasised the strategic importance of this project. “Working with H Mart and VTEX on this initiative has been a remarkable journey. The speed to market at which we were able to transition and modernise H Mart’s eCommerce operations has enabled a seamless online shopping experience for its customers.”
Key features of H Mart’s eCommerce platform
- The use of VTEX’s pick and pack app in stores to enable seamless in-store picking of products for online orders.
- By using VTEX’s franchise account and trade policies functionality, H Mart has precise control over product visibility based on the customer’s location, who only see products available locally.
- The platform also integrates with H Mart’s SAP ERP for category inventory and pricing, tax automation, and payment processing.
“Our team really prioritised a quick go-to-market time to get our new online stores up and running. VTEX and VML made it happen,” said Vince Colatriano, Executive Vice President at H Mart. “They have been instrumental in our digital growth journey. Helping us deliver the best online shopping experience to our diverse set of customers. We are excited about the future and the opportunities this new platform will bring to our customers.”
Enterprise Times: What this means for businesses
The grocery segment within the retail industry is incredibly competitive, with retailers often operating on incredibly tight margins. Tight margins are dependent on rapid turnover, sales and product accurate product data and analytics. All analysts’ research has indicated the impact of eCommerce on the grocery sector, as shoppers swap trolleys for the checkout. With VTEX’s composable and complete digital commerce platform. H Mart plans to radically alter its eCommerce operations, which include delivering a superior shopping experience to its customers. This partnership represents a critical step in H Mart’s strategy to embrace digital innovation and enhance its market presence in the US.
Another key area that H Mart and VTEX will need to concentrate on is the checkout. Hopefully, this new partnership will reshape the in-store payment experience, offering convenience, efficiency and innovation for H Mart customers. Failure to convert customers at the final leg will ultimately mean H Mart’s failure to achieve their strategic objectives.
