POLOmarket

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the anxiety and fear kept on increasing, it was essential to implement new functionalities in the POLOmarket app as soon as possible, allowing fast and safe means to shop, namely Order & Pickup. POLOmarket commissioned us to design and develop new functionalities for the app and a new web panel for their web page so that employees in a given store could process each order effectively. Also, we were charged with integrating the app and the employees’ web panel with the check-out and warehousing systems. Next, once we had implemented the Click & Collect service into the POLOmarket app, we:

• moved on to enrich its functionalities with online payment,
• implemented the module which enables door-to-door delivery,
• implemented the latest version of their online store.

To meet an advantageous deadline, we build a design team of ten members to collaborate on the project with the equivalent POLOmarket team. During the initial stages, Appchance was in charge of:

• requirements analysis 
• designing the process 
• designing and implementing the app 
• designing and implementing web panel to process orders 
• testing Click & Collect service 

On our frequent visits to the stores we embraced the role of customers to test and improve not only the app, but the entire customer path and sales service. POLOmarket team were responsible for preparing a set of web services allowing insights into the warehouse stock of each store, as well as preparing a full list of products to be available on offer under the Click & Collect service.

We aimed at creating a first, simple yet functional, version of the Click & Collect service, to be continuously improved once introduced to the market.

To do this, we needed to create new functions as well as integrate the new Click and Collect module into the existing POLOmarket app.

The next stage was to allow online payment for in-app shopping. This functionality lets customers, who shop via app, to issue quick online payments by means of a chosen method, such as a credit or debit card, fast online payments or mobile payment via Blik. Next, a door-to-door delivery module was added to further develop the app.

Implementing the latest version of their online store was our final achievement on the project.

App includes the following elements:

• a full list of products on offer at POLOmarket stores,
• product categories that reflect in-store arrangements,
• ingredient labels, including allergens,
• add-to-cart functionality,
• a consent form to allow substitutes, should the chosen product be unavailable in a given store,
• possibility to choose the shop-and-pickup location
• shopping cart with summary
• notifications on orders ready for pickup

The order processing panel we created gathered customer orders and helped flag them as ready for pickup.

In cooperation with the Redlink company, we were able to equip the system with e-mail notifications, text notifications and PUSH notification, which were visible in the app. The solution is available for store employees and customers alike. An employee receives a text message every time a new order is placed. While customers are notified once the order is ready for pickup.

Our next step was to introduce online payment systems. To purchase products online, the customers need first to choose the store for their pickup point – this was done to make sure that products visible in the app are actually available on offer at the chosen location. Then, the customers are asked to choose a time slot for the intended pickup. Afterwards, they finalise the purchase and pay in the app using a method of their choice: a credit or debit card, fast online payments or mobile payment via Blik (the online payment system was implemented in cooperation with online payment provider PayU). Finally, the customer can visit the store to collect the purchase, sidestepping any queues.

Our final task on the POLOmarket project was to implement a web shop system. 

We continue cooperating with POLOmarket in developing their app.