Today In Connected Economy: Finding A Porsche Online Just Got Easier; Clover Pairs With Grubhub

In today’s top connected economy news, Porsche expands its eCommerce platform, while lover and Grubhub are teaming up to simplify restaurant operations. Plus Point Pickup acquires eCommerce platform GrocerKey.

Porsche Extends Online Sales Tool To Include New Vehicle Inventory

German auto manufacturer Porsche announced Thursday (Aug. 26) the expansion of its online eCommerce platform, Porsche Finder, to include new inventory from all 193 dealerships in the U.S.

U.S. drivers now have access to an online hub to shop for Porsche cars from dealers. The site also offers consumers the ability to determine the potential value of a trade-in vehicle, review financing choices and submit an online credit application with Porsche Financial Services.

Porsche launched the online sales tool in Germany in October 2019, according to the company’s website. By December 2020, it had expanded its online sales platform to include Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, France, Poland, Slovenia and Estonia. Online sales in China began in fall 2020. The digital platform is now available in 15 countries.

Clover-Grubhub Integration Aims To Simplify Restaurant Operations

Fiserv, the parent company of the Clover point-of-sale (POS) and business management platform, and food delivery company Grubhub announced Wednesday (Aug. 25) the integration of the companies’ platforms to help thousands of independent restaurants better fulfill online orders.

Clover Online Ordering lets restaurant owners monitor everything from menu updates to online order management. Restaurants that use Clover and partner with Grubhub can bring their operations into the Clover platform due to this integration, allowing streamlined digital orders through menu synchronization, order submissions and more.

Clover customers who are not Grubhub partners can still register for Grubhub pickup and delivery as part of a free trial, opening their fare up to more than 33 million diners across the United States.

Last-Mile Provider Point Pickup Buys GrocerKey

Last-mile provider Point Pickup Technologies has acquired white-label eCommerce platform GrocerKey, a move the company said will let retailers “take back control from Instacart.” Point Pickup announced it has created the industry’s “first end-to-end, own-branded last-mile fulfillment and delivery service.”

In addition to groceries, Connecticut-based Point Pickup, whose customers include Walmart, Kroger and Albertsons, has already grown its platform to include pharmacy, general merchandise and oversized deliveries.