Afloat, a gift delivery app that enables customers to shop from local stores and have gifts delivered the same day, has announced its expansion across the United States.
Previously available only in select cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Charleston, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Nashville, and Wichita, Afloat is now accessible nationwide. This expansion leverages the startup’s mission to facilitate immediate gift-giving across state lines.
The Inspiration Behind Afloat
The concept for Afloat was inspired by founder Sarah-Allen Preston’s personal experience during her newborn’s critical health crisis involving open heart surgery. The support she received, particularly through thoughtful gifts from loved ones, deeply impacted her.
Reflecting on her experiences, Preston told TechCrunch, “When I looked back on that experience, though, I weirdly didn’t remember the stress and the heartache. All I remembered was how people showed up for me and how cared and supported I felt… So, I took that feeling and went on to amplify this in the world through technology.”
A Personal Touch in Gift-Giving
Afloat’s service is designed to combine the convenience of online shopping with the immediacy of physical gift delivery, while also supporting local businesses. The process includes gift wrapping and adding a handwritten note to each delivery, contrasting with the more impersonal nature of a standard Amazon receipt. The delivery logistics are managed in partnership with DoorDash, ensuring that gifts are promptly and efficiently delivered to recipients.
Transitioning to a SaaS Model
Further expanding its business model, Afloat has transitioned to a software-as-a-service (SaaS) approach. This allows a wider array of local businesses, including spas, to join the platform. The new subscription plans are structured as follows:
- Gold Tier: Priced at $99 per month
- Platinum Tier: Priced at $299 per month
These plans offer participating businesses access to a comprehensive dashboard that includes marketing tools, merchandising support, sales data, and other essential features to boost their operations.
Preston emphasizes the scalability of the new SaaS model: “We don’t have to hard-launch markets anymore, which is really exciting… We are going to be able to be SaaS anywhere, everywhere.”
Alongside business-oriented subscriptions, Afloat is developing a consumer subscription tier. This will provide features like scheduled deliveries and alerts for new gift offerings, enhancing the user experience.
The Growing Trend of Shopping Local
The nationwide rollout of Afloat’s services coincides with a rising trend of consumer preference for supporting local businesses—a sentiment amplified by the pandemic’s impact.
A recent survey by Intuit revealed that 62% of participants expressed a preference for shopping locally. The shift towards local commerce is critical, especially considering that nearly 40% of small businesses reported shutdowns during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns. Large e-commerce platforms, such as Etsy, are also tapping into this trend with initiatives like curated gift guides that spotlight independent shop owners.
Currently, with over 30,000 users and more than $5 million in funding from investors including Goodwater Capital and Techstars, Afloat is well-positioned to influence the personalized gifting market significantly.
Featured Image courtesy of Afloat