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Afloat , a gift deliverance app that lets you shop from local stores and have gifts delivered to a make out one on the same day , is now available across the U.S. The startup announced on Monday that it is rolling out its religious service nationwide after antecedently only being usable in prime cities , let in Atlanta , Dallas , Charleston , Fort Worth , Kansas City , Nashville and Wichita , among others .
The startup was founded by Sarah - Allen Preston after she experienced the focus of her newborn undergoing open heart operating theater . After receiving serious-minded gifts from loved unity , Preston wanted to make immediate giving - giving possible for everyone , admit those who live in another land , to support their loved ones in a sentence of need .
Afloat propose to provide the gadget of online shopping and insistent obstetrical delivery while also underpin local businesses without leave your home . Afloat takes upkeep of the total gift - giving process , including gift wrapper and sum up a handwritten note for an superfluous personal touch . ( Preston mentioned that this is more serious-minded than receiving a type Amazon receipt . ) As for the delivery part , DoorDash drivers take care of that .
After the pandemic , many customers realize how much they appreciated their local store . near 40%of small business had to shut down during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 . That desire to shop at minuscule businesses continues to rest strong . accord to arecent surveyby Intuit , 62 % of participants tell they require to purchase from small job in their community . eastward - commerce giants are also capitalizing on this mindset , as march by Etsy’snew gifting initiative , which have curated gift guide that highlight independent shop owners .
The app currently works with 100 computer memory partners , range from bakeshop and baby shop to bookstores , florists , traditional gift fund , jewelry shop and so on . allot to the company , 30 - 50 % of local retailers ’ receipts comes from gift .
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The company has also now transfer to a SaaS ( package - as - a - service ) fashion model to let more stores to join the program , include other types of businesses , like health spa and similar businesses . Afloat will offer up subscription plans at $ 99 / month ( amber ) and $ 299 / calendar month ( Platinum ) , which includes a fresh launched splasher that provides stores with merchandising and merchandising support , as well as sales data point , and other useful features .
“ We do n’t have to punishing - launch markets anymore , which is really exciting … We are go to be able-bodied to be SaaS anywhere , everywhere , ” Preston say .
Additionally , the company is in the process of building a subscription tier for consumers , which will allow them to access premium feature like programming deliveries and being notified as presently as a fresh gift offering drop .
Afloat currently has over 30,000 user . It ’s backed by Goodwater Capital and Techstars , with over $ 5 million in total funding .
