Tucked into a residential pocket of St. Louis at 4301 Seibert Avenue, Garner’s Market has been a staple in its community for years. It’s a classic neighborhood convenience store; friendly, family-run, and packed with everything from grocery staples to beverages of all kinds. At the heart of it is Cijo Mathews, who manages the store with a clear dedication to keeping it running efficiently and serving the people around him.

But running a small store in today’s retail landscape isn’t easy. Between competing with big chains, managing rising costs, and keeping shelves stocked, time and accuracy matter more than ever. Like many small retailers, Cijo and his team face a daily balancing act: providing competitive prices, staying stocked with the right inventory, and doing it all with tight margins. 

This is a problem known all too well by independent store owners, and it's the reason we started Zaiko.

A Daily Grind that Needed to Change

Handling deliveries, verifying prices, and updating inventory records was something the Garner’s Market team managed with care and reliance on tried-and-true manual processes. The team would review paper invoices, cross-check prices, enter data into spreadsheets, and pace the aisles to keep their inventory accurate. This approach, while effective, demanded significant time and effort, hours that could otherwise be spent engaging with customers, improving the store experience, or focusing on strategic growth.

“My employees’ productivity goes up. The time they spend on checking the prices, going through the prices, making sure the margins are on point, making sure that there’s no mistakes” is reduced, Mathews said.

This kind of detailed work is common in many small stores, where manual checks are necessary to avoid costly pricing errors and ensure profitability. Garner’s Market, like many others, recognized the opportunity to embrace new tools that could free up their team while maintaining the accuracy and care their customers expect.

From Hours to Minutes

The introduction of Zaiko’s platform transformed how Garner’s Market handles inventory receiving. Instead of laboriously scribbling into notebooks or cross-referencing invoices, Cijo and his team now simply take a photo of their invoices. Zaiko automatically extracts detailed product information, updates pricing, and flags any potential issues like low-stock items or margin concerns all in real time.

“With Zaiko, we can change the prices with a tap of a button,” Mathews said.

This dramatic reduction in receiving time, from 3 hours to just 15 minutes, has enabled the store to move inventory faster and with fewer errors. The ability to quickly identify inventory needs and adjust pricing empowers the team to keep shelves stocked accurately and customers satisfied. It’s a shift that has made daily operations smoother and more responsive to changing demand.

Empowering Small Stores to Compete with the Big Guys

Many small retailers feel the pressure of competing with large chains and gas stations equipped with extensive resources and complex systems. Garner’s Market is no different. But tools like Zaiko help level the playing field by providing technology that’s specifically designed for the realities of small retail.

“To be able to streamline [operations], I can actually compete with the bigger gas stations around, the bigger grocery stores around, ‘cause we’re just a mom and pop store,” Mathews explained. “This gives us that ability to work like a huge conglomerate, but at a smaller scale.”

By adopting technology built for stores their size, Garner’s Market gains not only operational efficiency but also the confidence to innovate and grow. This is a challenge shared by thousands of independent retailers who want to deliver great service without sacrificing profitability or community connection.

Built to Support You Now and Into the Future

For Cijo Mathews, the benefits of using Zaiko extend beyond day-to-day efficiency. It’s about securing the long-term future of Garner’s Market, making sure it continues to serve the local community for years to come. In a retail environment that’s always evolving, having the right tools to adapt is essential.

“For me to sustain this [business], and keep it going and growing, and actually still be here for the community, this helps. It streamlines everything.”

This mindset reflects the dedication many independent retailers have to their neighborhoods. Streamlining operations with modern technology frees up time, reduces stress, and enables small stores to thrive while maintaining the personal touch that sets them apart from larger competitors.

See it for Yourself

From day one, Cijo has been more than a customer to Zaiko, he’s been a partner, sharing honest feedback and helping us understand the real, day-to-day challenges that small retailers face. His insights have helped shape Zaiko into what it is today.

Cijo’s journey and how Zaiko has helped transform Garner’s Market’s inventory process was featured in a video by HEC Media’s Science & Technology series. This compelling story shines a light on how innovation is empowering local businesses to meet today’s challenges head-on. You can watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDOjPcgEHnc

If your store faces similar challenges or you’re looking for ways to save time, reduce errors, and gain real-time inventory insights, visit www.zaikoai.com or schedule a free demo to see how Zaiko can help your business thrive.