Merchant Growth & Retail Strategy • Published 2026-11-01
Your Next Customer May Know the Product—but Not Your Store
Why discoverability deserves a place on every food retailer’s shelf
Many food retailers invest tremendous care into choosing the right products. They know which brands their regulars ask for, which seasonal items move quickly before holidays, which specialty ingredients are hard to find elsewhere, and which everyday staples bring people back week after week.
There is only one problem: a customer who does not already know your store often searches for the product first—not your business name.
How Customers Actually Search Today
Think about how a shopper behaves when they need something specific. Very often, they do not start by thinking of a store name—especially if they are new to the area, shopping for a special occasion, trying a recipe from home, or looking for a brand that mainstream chains do not always carry.
Instead, they start with questions like: Who has this brand of rice or flour nearby? Where can I find this snack, spice mix, sauce, or beverage in my city? Is there a store near me that carries halal, kosher, vegetarian, or region-specific items?
Having Great Inventory Is Only Half the Battle
Many independent grocers and specialty retailers have a strong product mix. In fact, their selection is often what sets them apart from larger chains. They carry hard-to-find brands, regional specialties, imported goods, festive items, and community favorites that customers genuinely value.
Visibility is no longer just about signage on a street. Increasingly, it is also about whether a nearby shopper can connect what they want with what you carry.
A Simple Discoverability Checklist for Food Retailers
1. Start with your top 50 to 100 signature or high-demand items.
2. Use customer-friendly product names and descriptions.
3. Highlight seasonal and festive products early.
4. Make store essentials easy to verify.
5. Participate in platforms where customers are already searching locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do specialty grocery shoppers search by product instead of store name?
Shoppers looking for cultural, imported, or specialty ingredients usually know the exact brand, spice, flour, or holiday item they need, but if they are new to a neighborhood or shopping for a specific recipe, they do not yet know which local independent grocer stocks that item.
How many products should an independent grocery store list online first?
Retailers do not need to digitize thousands of SKUs on day one. Starting with the top 50 to 100 signature, high-demand, or hard-to-find products captures the majority of high-intent local search traffic.
How can a local grocer make products searchable without paying 30% delivery app commissions?
With Cormersi, independent food retailers can publish a searchable online product catalog—either in Showcase Mode or with full Click & Collect and local delivery checkout—for a flat $49 CAD/month subscription and 0% commission on orders.