Energy Mart Launches 1st Party Ordering with Lula Direct

Philadelphia, PA (September 16, 2025) — Energy Mart, a trusted chain of locally owned convenience stores serving communities across Western North Carolina, has launched Lula Direct as the foundation of its first-party ordering experience. The new platform keeps the customer journey inside the Energy Mart brand and creates a faster, more reliable way for shoppers to buy directly from the stores they already know.

By adopting Lula Direct, Energy Mart reduces reliance on third-party marketplaces and strengthens its connection to local customers. The launch also positions the chain to scale digital offerings while maintaining operational control.

What this means for Energy Mart customers

• Instant access to everyday essentials and age-restricted products (like alcohol and tobacco where permitted by law) at the touch of a finger.
• Exclusive promotions, loyalty perks, and personalized offers available directly through the Energy Mart platform.
• Consistent reliability—customers can trust that digital orders reflect the same service and product quality they expect in-store.

What this means for Energy Mart

• Stronger loyalty through direct customer relationships and first-party data.
• Lower cancellation risk through live synchronization with back-office systems.
• Operational control across the digital shelf, including compliance tools that support age-restricted categories like alcohol and tobacco (with built-in ID verification).

This launch was made possible in part through Lula’s integration with PDI Technologies, which enables Energy Mart to keep digital pricing and availability synchronized with in-store systems in real time. By leveraging PDI price updates inside Lula Direct, Energy Mart ensures customers always see accurate pricing across its online storefronts.

A smarter channel for convenience retail

Energy Mart’s move to first-party ordering reflects a broader industry trend: convenience retailers are embracing brand-led digital strategies to capture more revenue, reduce leakage, and own their customer relationships.

Retailers interested in powering a similar first-party experience with Lula Direct can visit lulacommerce.com/contact/get-started.

About Lula Commerce

Lula Commerce is a premier provider of digital commerce solutions, specializing in the convenience retail industry. Their comprehensive platform offers tools for inventory management, customer engagement, and business intelligence, enabling retailers to enhance operations and drive growth. For more information, visit www.lulacommerce.com.

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