Operator Tools and Systems
Running a structured grocery pickup business requires more than simply shopping for groceries and handing them to customers.
Operators need organized systems that manage product catalogs, customer orders, pricing structures, and pickup scheduling.
The Co-Op Shopper platform provides the tools and workflows that allow independent operators to run efficient grocery pickup services without building these systems from scratch.
Structured Grocery Catalogs
The platform provides organized grocery catalogs that allow operators to offer hundreds or thousands of grocery items through their own branded website.
These catalogs are designed to simplify ordering while maintaining consistent product organization.
Operators can offer different types of stores including:
• Costco grocery catalogs
• Everyday grocery market catalogs
• Hybrid stores combining both
Customers browse the catalog online and submit their grocery orders before the scheduled pickup cutoff time.
Multipack Sharing System
Many warehouse grocery items are sold in multipacks that may be larger than what a single household wants to purchase.
The platform allows operators to offer shareable grocery items, making it easier for multiple customers to participate in a single multipack purchase.
This feature is especially useful for:
• workplace pickup programs
• group grocery orders
• shared household purchases
By making warehouse products more flexible, operators can increase order volume while helping customers reduce costs. Learn more on the Co-Op Shopper sharing app
Costco Sampler Program
Many Costco products contain individually packaged units within a multipack.
The platform includes a core set of sampler-eligible items selected by Co-Op Shopper and commonly available across most U.S. Costco locations. These items appear in a dedicated Costco Sampler section of the operator’s store and allow customers to purchase individual units instead of the full multipack.
Operators purchase the multipack and fulfill orders using the sealed units contained within it.
For example, a 45-count snack multipack can be listed as a single snack unit, allowing customers to add any quantity they want to their order.
This allows customers to try products in smaller quantities while helping operators efficiently utilize Costco multipack inventory.
Sampler units are typically priced 30–40% above the Costco per-unit cost to cover the purchase of the multipack, handling of individual units, and management of remaining inventory.
Expanding the Sampler Catalog
Operators are not limited to the initial sampler catalog. If a local Costco product is suitable for individual unit sales, operators may request that the item be added to their store.
This flexibility allows operators to adapt sampler offerings to local Costco inventory and customer demand.
Costco Multipack Splitting
Some Costco products are sold in multipacks that contain individually packaged items but are larger than what many customers want to purchase.
The platform allows operators to offer multipack splitting for select items, allowing customers to purchase only the quantity they need from an eligible multipack.
Customers select the number of units they want, and the operator fulfills the order by purchasing the multipack and distributing the requested portions.
Multipack splitting makes warehouse grocery products more practical for everyday grocery orders.
Eligible Multipack Items
Not all multipack products are suitable for splitting.
The Co-Op Shopper platform selects which items may be offered through the multipack splitting program and includes those items within the operator’s store.
Eligible products must meet several requirements:
• the item must contain individual factory-sealed packaging
• the packaging must remain unopened and intact when provided to the customer
• the product must be shelf-stable
These requirements ensure that all split items remain safe and consistent for customers.
Refrigerated Items Are Not Split
Multipack splitting is limited to shelf-stable products that remain in their original factory-sealed packaging. Refrigerated or temperature-sensitive items are not eligible for splitting and are offered only as full packages to maintain proper food safety standards.
Managing Remaining Multipack Inventory
When customers purchase portions of a multipack, the operator purchases the full package and distributes the requested quantities.
Any remaining units from the package are held by the operator until they are sold through additional customer orders.
Multipack splitting works best for products that are frequently ordered, allowing remaining inventory to move quickly through the system.
Making Warehouse Products More Flexible
Multipack splitting helps solve one of the common challenges of warehouse grocery shopping.
Customers gain access to warehouse products while purchasing only the quantity they need, and operators can offer a broader selection of items without requiring customers to buy large packages.
This flexibility makes the warehouse grocery model more practical for everyday grocery pickup services.