"The coronavirus crisis is hitting regional retailers particularly hard. kleinStark offers consumers the opportunity to continue shopping with trusted suppliers and thus strengthen the local economy. For us, supporting the project is a matter close to our hearts," says Jessica Heinz, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Dematic. The online marketplace bundles the individual strengths of small and medium-sized companies and therefore has great potential. Dematic is supporting the project as the main partner.

The platform was founded by the two Aschaffenburg-based companies kleinStark and Baaila Café. The latter sells high-quality food and meals in locations in Aschaffenburg and Alzenau and operates a catering service for private or business events. kleinStark is a start-up with IT expertise in app development, among other things.

In response to the coronavirus crisis, the two companies launched a joint initiative in March to develop ways to strengthen the regional economy. Local retailers from the Rhine-Main and Main-Spessart regions are now offering their products in bundles via the kleinStark digital marketplace. The platform can be accessed online at app.kleinstark.de. Orders and payments are processed here. The products are delivered to the consumer's home either directly via the retailer or via a jointly organized delivery service.

"The project is only successful because the supply chain works smoothly and the software solution maps the process excellently. kleinStark therefore faced exactly the same challenges as we do at Dematic when we implement projects for our customers," explains Heinz. The automation specialist from Heusenstamm had already planned a collaboration with Baaila before the coronavirus crisis: The catering at the Dematic stand at the Logimat logistics trade fair at the beginning of March was to come from the Aschaffenburg-based company.

The first 500 users of the platform are now benefiting from the cancellation of the trade fair. In addition to their order, they will receive a portion of chili con carne, a mini cupcake or cake. "We have decided not to cancel our catering order altogether, but to donate the food. The local providers are already suffering enough from the crisis anyway," says Heinz. as