AppCard has launched its Digital Circular, a tool that helps independent grocers compete with larger chains through targeted advertising. The platform uses AI to convert static weekly ads into interactive circulars featuring recipes from a library of over 6,500 options. Shoppers can add ingredients directly to shopping lists. The system targets households using real point-of-sale data, spending patterns and postcode information. Adverts run across Google, YouTube, Gmail and other websites. Crops Fresh Marketplace in Pennsylvania saw daily page views increase 5.8 times after launching offsite adverts, whilst click-through rates reached 2% to 3%. The Digital Circular is now available to AppCard's 3,300 grocery partners. Purchase data integration allows grocers to measure which adverts drive sales, moving beyond traditional print budgets.

AppCard has launched a grocer-branded credit card programme with Neighborhood Fresh, enabling the independent grocer to offer customers branded payment cards without building banking and compliance infrastructure. The programme includes an AppCard Credit Card and Smart Card, both branded for Neighborhood Fresh, allowing shoppers to earn rewards on purchases and redeem them at the store. The cards offer enhanced rewards on private-label items, fuel, and other purchases, with no annual fee. AppCard handles card marketing, customer service, compliance, and fraud services, making branded card programmes accessible to independent grocers who typically lack the scale and resources for such initiatives. The programme aims to strengthen shopper loyalty, increase rewards engagement, lower processing costs, and provide spending insights. Cards are issued by TAB Bank and branded for participating grocers.