The Offline Renaissance

Today's featured startup is ushering in the future of multi-location marketing.

Project Overview

SingleInterface is a comprehensive platform designed for marketing hyperlocal, multi-location businesses with physical stores in different locations.

The challenge lies in delegating local marketing to store managers, who may lack the expertise to handle it effectively. At the same time, managing local marketing for each store from a central office is highly complex, requiring numerous targeted actions for each location.

SingleInterface addresses this by allowing the central office to automate marketing tasks across locations, using the platform as a unified system for analysis and management.

The platform helps businesses ensure their store information appears on Google, social media, and local directories—so nearby users can easily find relevant stores. It also enables centralized management of advertising campaigns across Google, social media, and local directories, optimizing them for each specific location.

Additionally, the platform facilitates customer review management, ensuring that every location not only has updated information and advertisements but also a solid base of positive local reviews.

SingleInterface also provides real-time updates for digital storefronts, allowing users to see not just store details but also available inventory.

Each local store’s page is linked to a unique virtual phone number, enabling call center operators to immediately identify the store in question and access its relevant details.

Recently, the startup launched a beta version of a new AI-powered tool that automatically collects, analyzes, and delivers marketing insights for each location. This tool uses data from local searches, online ad performance, and transcriptions of customer calls to help headquarters make informed decisions and optimize marketing efforts on a per-location basis.

According to the company, businesses using the platform can increase total revenue by 3.6 times.

Founded in 2017, SingleInterface has grown to serve over 400 hyperlocal retail chains across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Its team has expanded to 235 employees. Until now, the company had not sought external funding—but it has just raised $30 million in its first investment round.

What's the Gist?

What stands out most is how SingleInterface managed to carve out a niche and build a self-sustaining business without external funding—something rare in the startup world. This proves that startups can grow profitably from day one if they target the right market and offer real value.

Offline retail often gets overlooked by tech startups, but that’s a mistake. In India—one of SingleInterface’s key markets—90% of retailers conduct more than half of their sales offline. The country has around 12 million small convenience stores, known as kiranas, which remain deeply embedded in the retail landscape.

Even in more developed markets, offline retail remains dominant. In the U.S., e-commerce currently accounts for only 15.6% of total retail sales. While this share is growing, it is projected to reach just 20.6% by 2027. The number of physical retail locations in the U.S. stood at 1.06 million in 2020 and has continued to rise in recent years.

Interestingly, there’s even a reverse trend emerging—online brands moving into physical retail. Leap, for example, is a startup that helps e-commerce businesses open offline stores. It has raised $79 million in funding to date. Leap’s platform analyzes e-commerce data to identify ideal store locations and handles the setup process, covering operational and logistical challenges. In exchange, brands pay a fixed fee plus a share of offline sales.

Another notable aspect of SingleInterface’s approach is its decision to focus on hyperlocal chains rather than individual retail stores. While there are far more standalone stores, chains are far more valuable clients, as they have both the resources and incentive to invest in scalable marketing solutions.

This is similar to the approach taken by Bonside, a startup that provides financing for offline businesses—but only for those that already have at least two locations and are looking to expand. Bonside secures capital from external investors and has raised $4.35 million for its own operations.

Key Takeaways

The hyperlocal retail sector remains a promising space for innovation. Despite the rise of e-commerce, offline businesses still command a significant share of the market, with multi-location businesses representing its most financially viable segment.

However, these businesses often struggle to adopt new technologies, either due to a lack of expertise or limited available solutions tailored to their needs. Many startups focus exclusively on online markets, leaving offline businesses underserved.

One promising opportunity is developing platforms that automate and enhance online marketing for hyperlocal businesses, helping them navigate digital advertising, local SEO, and customer engagement more effectively.

SingleInterface is one example, but there are others. Hummingbirds, for instance, has built a platform connecting hyperlocal businesses with small, local influencers to promote physical stores. The company has raised $4.4 million in funding.

What other gaps exist in the hyperlocal retail space? Where do these businesses struggle? What processes can be automated? What solutions could help them boost revenue while keeping costs under control?

Company info:

SingleInterface

• Website: https://www.singleinterface.com/

• Last funding round: $30 million, 04.04.2024

• Total funds raised: $30 million after 1 round