Group Buy Matcher

Let local small businesses pool orders for wholesale discounts

Problem

Cafes, restaurants, and retail stores often buy packaging, cleaning supplies, and inventory alone, paying high unit prices and shipping fees. Small businesses in New Zealand can pay around $50 to ship even the smallest package. They want to join orders with nearby peers but have no simple tool to start, match, and consolidate purchases.

Solution

A group-buying platform for local small businesses: post a purchasing need, get matched with nearby businesses that want similar items, combine orders, and place a grouped order to suppliers with shared costs and savings. The core is matching and cost sharing, not owning the supply chain.

Users

Cafes, restaurants, small retail stores, local entrepreneurs

MVP

Businesses post items and quantities; match nearby demand by category and location; generate consolidated orders and cost-sharing plans; track savings; start with a few fixed suppliers or open supplier quotes

Revenue

Commission from suppliers on completed orders, or a low monthly fee for merchants; also supplier sponsorship and local advertising

Why now

Cost pressure on small businesses keeps rising, and group buying is proven but lacks lightweight tooling. An indie developer can validate demand in one city with forms and matching rules, without heavy assets.