WOODLAND, Calif. — As people try to stay indoors in light of the coronavirus, they're doing more online shopping mainly with big companies like Amazon. They also tend to think big retailers are the only option, but what about the local businesses?
As they say, there's an app for that. The Nytch app, available to download on iPhone and Android, aims to connect local independent businesses with nearby online shoppers.
What makes this different than other shopping experiences is that Nytch connects you to the businesses that operate mostly offline.
“With major online businesses selling out, people forget local business might still have what they need, and with Nytch, you can ask all the 50 participating businesses if they have it,” Grant Lea, CEO of Nytch said
Through Nytch, shoppers create requests for what they are looking for or what they need help with. This varies from the right animal to adopt to finding if local businesses have critically needed supplies during an emergency.
The Nytch app, created just last year, is now more important than ever to support local businesses that might be impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Some businesses may not be able to survive and some of them are already seeing fewer customers at their stores.
“In the last few days we’ve had less traffic than usual because people are afraid to come physically and because they don’t know we have the supplies,” said Joe Jochim, owner of the Woodland True Value Center.
“People just want to go to Costco, Walmart or other big box stores because they just don’t know where else to go,” he added.
The reality is, small local businesses also have the home supplies most people might be looking for, “we’ve got all of the basics and shipments coming in every day,” he explained.
Nytch app also makes it possible for people to observe CDC social distancing recommendations.
“If our businesses can get what shoppers need right now, they’ll work to arrange delivery or shipping if they can and will certainly facilitate curbside pickup or make items available at checkout,” Lea said.
To shop Nytch, shoppers create a request where they explain how far they want to travel, the type of item they’re looking for, how much they’re willing to pay, and a description to help local business owners send you a recommendation.
You can also refine your request by messaging businesses that respond to you through the app.
“People now have the ability to shop with stores in their community that have a challenging time selling online. Instead of going from store to store looking for products you need, Nytch is your one-stop shop to simplify the process,” said Chase Kellison, COO of Nytch
If any business is interested in participating, Nytch is offering its services for free during the public health crisis.
“It takes just five minutes to complete,” Kellison said.
Business owners can email Nytch directly at hello@nytch.me. Customers can download the Nytch app free on the app store or Google Play.
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