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Turn retailer engagement into measurable execution – on WhatsApp.

ProConnect helps brands and suppliers influence convenience retailers (and foodservice/catering operators) through two-way WhatsApp journeys – proven to drive distribution, improve execution and accelerate activation. Powered by ProAgent AI.

Brand integrity is protected through templates, approved asset libraries, and optional AI creative with controls and approvals.

Book a demo Discuss a pilot

Outcomes | How it works | ProAgent | Proof & governance | Pilot | FAQs

Outcomes – what you can achieve

Improve distribution and core range compliance (often measured via an execution / Perfect Store score)

Run scalable self-compliance with proof capture (photos, confirmations, checklists) and automated follow-up

Increase promo participation with retailer-friendly mechanics (competitions, coupons, reminders)

Provide always-on support to retailers/operators with AI-powered two-way conversations (text or voice)

Launch, optimise and repeat campaigns faster with ProAgent (planning, copy, scheduling, reporting)

Book a demo Discuss a pilot

Why it’s hard with traditional tools alone

Suppliers invest in websites, campaigns and field activity – but consistent retailer engagement (and measurable behaviour change) is still hard to achieve. The challenge isn’t effort – it’s that many tools are one-way or low-adoption:

  • Category websites are useful, but traffic can be inconsistent without a strong pull channel
  • Apps and portals often face adoption friction (downloads, logins, training)
  • Email and SMS can work for alerts, but are limited for two-way engagement and proof capture
  • Field teams (where they exist) are effective, but expensive and limited in coverage
  • It’s difficult to connect activity to outcomes: distribution, compliance, and participation

WhatsApp provides that missing pull channel – and ProConnect turns it into structured journeys, proof, automation and measurement.

Retailers are already on WhatsApp

Across what we hear in-market and what we see in live programmes, one thing is consistent: retailers want to be engaged in WhatsApp because it’s simple and familiar.

No downloads. No logins. No training.
Just a channel they already use for work.

Book a demo Discuss a pilot

How ProConnect works

1

Engage retailers with journeys, not just blasts

Run structured programmes inside WhatsApp that combine outbound messages with interactive steps.

  • Targeted messaging and segmentation
  • Interactive flows (branching logic, structured inputs, guided steps)
  • Evidence capture (photos, confirmations, checklists)
  • Automated reminders, escalation and issue routing

2

Connect WhatsApp to your existing assets

ProConnect can amplify what you already have – rather than replacing it.

  • Drive traffic to your category website with trackable WhatsApp journeys
  • Make category content conversational by linking it to two-way AI support (text or voice), so retailers can ask questions and get answers instantly

3

Measure what changed – and why

Track performance by segment, region, symbol group, depot, partner or programme.

  • Engagement analytics and response tracking
  • Execution and compliance completion rates
  • Distribution / ranging outcomes and launch readiness
  • Test-and-learn measurement with credible readouts

ProAgent – AI-first campaign creation and optimisation

ProConnect is built around ProAgent – an AI capability that helps your team go from idea to live programme in minutes, without losing brand control.

With ProAgent you can:

  • Generate retailer campaign plans (objectives, segments, schedule)
  • Draft on-brand WhatsApp copy and message variants for different retailer segments
  • Build advanced interactive journeys (not just one-way blasts)
  • Analyse performance across engagement, execution and outcomes
  • Recommend what to change next (timing, targeting, content, follow-ups)

Brand-safe creative options: by default, assemble creative using approved templates and your asset library. If you choose to enable AI-assisted image creation, it can be constrained by brand rules and routed through approval workflows.

Use cases

Improve compliance and execution (at scale)
  • Retailer self-compliance journeys with guided prompts
  • Photo proof where needed, plus automated follow-ups
  • Instant rewards: once proof is verified, automatically issue a voucher or coupon in WhatsApp
Drive distribution and support NPD launches
  • Core range compliance and distribution journeys
  • Launch readiness checks and issue triage
  • Feedback on barriers to ranging and implementation
Increase promo participation and in-store activity
  • Competitions and incentives
  • Coupon distribution and redemption prompts
  • Opt-ins and participation tracking with automated reminders
Always-on support (AI-enabled)
  • FAQs and troubleshooting via two-way chat (text or voice)
  • Automated triage and routing to the right team when needed
Make human effort more targeted (when relevant)
  • Use WhatsApp signals to trigger visits only when needed
  • Close the loop by capturing outcomes and evidence

Proof, governance and control

  • Built on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) for compliant messaging at scale
  • Templates, governance and multi-user access controls
  • Enterprise-grade data security and compliance
  • Reporting that connects activity to outcomes

Backed by hands-on experience running supplier programmes across convenience and foodservice – so you move faster and avoid common pitfalls.

Book a demo Discuss a pilot

Start with a pilot you can defend internally

A pilot is designed to answer three questions: Does it work? What uplift can we drive? What will it cost to scale? What a typical pilot looks like:

Agree the target audience

Define the retailer/operator universe and segment it (often 500-2,000 for a first pilot).

Agree the target behaviour

Choose the outcome you want to change, such as compliance, distribution/ranging, or promotion participation.

Set up your WhatsApp channel and opt-in plan

Run the pilot from your own WhatsApp Business account/number, with a clear join flow and opt-out. We help you design onboarding so participants understand the value.

Set up a test and a control group

Create an exposed group (WhatsApp programme) and a control group (no WhatsApp), so results are credible.

Build 2-3 journeys

Create the journeys that drive the behaviour – mixing outbound messages with interactive flows and evidence capture where needed.

Run the pilot for 12-24 weeks

Operate, optimise and learn in cycles – improving content, timing and follow-ups based on performance.

Deliver a clear readout and scale plan

Report on uplift, cost per outcome, operational learnings, and what a rollout looks like.

Book a demo Discuss a pilot

Who this is for

This is for supplier and brand teams responsible for influencing retail and operator outcomes, including:

  • Route-to-market and sales leadership (retail and foodservice)
  • Category, shopper and commercial planning teams
  • Trade marketing and operations
  • Retailer engagement / customer marketing
  • Foodservice / catering customer marketing and operator engagement teams
  • Insight teams running test-and-learn programmes

If your goal is to influence convenience retailer behaviour – or foodservice operator behaviour – ProConnect is built for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do retailers need to download anything?

No. Everything runs in WhatsApp.

How is this different from using free WhatsApp or WhatsApp groups?

ProConnect leverages the WhatsApp Business Platform (often called the WhatsApp Business API), which is designed for compliant business messaging at scale – with automation, templates, governance, reporting and team access. Free WhatsApp is built for personal use and does not give you the control or scalability suppliers need.

Do we need our own WhatsApp channel/number?

Yes. Programmes run from your own brand/supplier WhatsApp Business account/number. We support setup and configuration and then operate the journeys through ProConnect.

Do participants have to opt in to receive messages?

Yes. Participants must choose to join (opt in). We design clear join journeys so they understand the value and can opt out easily.

How do we recruit retailers/operators to join?

Recruitment is often the hardest part. We provide proven acquisition playbooks and can work with partner networks (for example field agencies, wholesalers, symbol groups or existing touchpoints) to drive opt-ins at scale.

What is ProAgent?

ProAgent is ProConnect’s AI capability that helps you design, build and optimise programmes – generating schedules, campaign structure and on-brand messaging, and turning performance data into clear next steps.

Can ProAgent generate images? Is it brand safe?

Yes – if you choose to enable it. Most brands start with approved templates and asset libraries. When AI-assisted image creation is enabled, it can be constrained by your brand guidelines and routed through review/approval before anything is used.

Is this just marketing?

No. It’s about execution: compliance, activation, support and measurable behaviour change. Marketing is one use case, not the whole value.

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Email: hello@b2b.store • Tel: +44 (0)1926 298867
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