Compete with Amazon by using Shopify, Zapiet & EasyRoutes

Amazon’s rise from a simple online bookstore to a dominant force in global commerce has fundamentally shaped modern shopping habits. With fast, often free shipping and near-limitless selection, the platform has set high expectations for digital convenience.

But in that relentless pursuit of scale and speed, many shoppers feel something was lost—authenticity, local connection, and personal service. As Amazon grew, particularly during the pandemic, it became clear to many consumers just how much of their spending was being funneled to one company. In response, more customers began seeking ways to support local businesses.

Fortunately, new tools have emerged to help merchants of all sizes build meaningful alternatives. With platforms like Shopify, Zapiet, and EasyRoutes, independent retailers can now provide fast, customizable, and branded shopping and delivery experiences that rival even the biggest competitors.

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Table of Contents

• Shopify Makes It Possible for Companies of All Sizes to Compete Online
• Zapiet Lets You Collect Delivery Dates and Times
• Use EasyRoutes for Last Mile Delivery
• Meet EasyRoutes' Customers
• Provide Modern Features and a Superior Delivery Experience to Level the Playing Field

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Shopify Makes It Possible for Companies of All Sizes to Compete Online

Shopify gives businesses the foundation to create professional, fully functional online storefronts—without needing a technical background. The platform powers more than 1.7 million businesses globally and is known for its ease of use, strong app ecosystem, and elegant, mobile-friendly store designs.

From seamless checkout experiences to customizable themes, Shopify helps merchants quickly set up e-commerce channels that are both powerful and user-friendly. Whether you're selling products nationwide or in your own neighborhood, Shopify provides the flexibility to scale as your business grows.

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Zapiet Lets You Collect Delivery Dates and Times

Zapiet extends the capabilities of Shopify by enabling local pickup, delivery, and shipping options for merchants in over 150 countries. Its standout feature set includes:

• Store pickup and delivery scheduling
• Live multi-location inventory management
• Shopify POS integration
• Fraud prevention controls
• Detailed product availability rules

By giving customers the ability to choose delivery dates and times, Zapiet empowers merchants to offer more flexible and personalized order fulfillment—a critical factor in competing with Amazon’s rigid systems.

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Use EasyRoutes for Last Mile Delivery

For local deliveries, EasyRoutes brings full control and optimization to the final stretch of the fulfillment journey. This Shopify-integrated route planning tool turns your orders into optimized delivery routes and provides the tools needed to manage everything from the store to the customer's doorstep.

EasyRoutes is designed to be easy to set up and simple to use. Merchants benefit from features like:

• Route optimization
• Proof of delivery (photos, signatures, notes)
• Real-time tracking for customers
• Driver app for iOS and Android
• Order sync directly from Shopify

With EasyRoutes, small businesses can offer a premium delivery experience that’s transparent, reliable, and tailored to their customer base.

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Meet EasyRoutes' Customers

EcoFuel.ie planning deliveries remotely with EasyRoutes

EcoFuel started out as a small online store selling natural heating products in 2014. While other companies try to expand their product lines, EcoFuel did the exact opposite. Rather than adding products, they narrowed their selection year after year until they were all-in on sustainability. EcoFuel has since grown into a leading Irish renewable fuel brand, supplying high-quality kiln-dried firewood and wood briquettes to homes across the country.

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How EasyRoutes transformed Misa Christmas Trees’ delivery operations 🎄

Misa Christmas Trees has been in business since 1940 and is New Zealand’s largest Christmas tree delivery and removal company. When US marines began buying the tops of Macrocapa trees to use as Christmas trees, the property became a Christmas tree farm.

Since then, the Misa family has grown and sold Christmas trees for four generations, and the farm has quickly become Auckland’s favourite place to buy Christmas trees. Many families make a point of going to the farm to walk among the trees that are still growing. Some of their customers have been coming back for four generations!

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Uproot Food Collective scaling up their deliveries with EasyRoutes

Chris Lerohl and Ray Ma (Honest Dumplings), Jamie Scott (South Island Pie Co.), and Orrey Metz came together to form the Uproot Food Collective (Natural Kitchen Delights). These Edmonton food producers and farmers market vendors saw an opportunity to form a cooperative with other like-minded food producers and vendors in order to save money and grow their businesses.

All of the Uproot Food Collective’s brands share a commitment to producing high-quality food products and operate out of a brick-and-mortar storefront with a certified manufacturing facility. All of their ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible, their recipes are unique and innovative, and they all operate in a transparent manner.

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Bloomen.ca: Powering their flower delivery fleet with EasyRoutes

Bloomen.ca was founded in 2016 to provide online flower delivery services for any occasion, regardless of style, taste, or budget. This florist, which is owned and operated by Canadians, followed a simple business model: cut out the middlemen.

By avoiding wholesalers and flower shops, BLOOMEN is able to provide the freshest flowers with the longest-lasting blooms. It also meant that they could avoid using courier services and make their own deliveries.

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Provide Modern Features and a Superior Delivery Experience to Level the Playing Field

Post-pandemic, customers are returning to retail—but with new expectations. Many still want the convenience of home delivery, but now also crave unique and personalized service.

This is where small businesses have the upper hand. Unlike Amazon’s one-size-fits-all model, independent retailers can offer curated experiences, niche products, and friendly customer service—both in-store and at the doorstep.

Together, Shopify, Zapiet, and EasyRoutes give small-to-medium-sized businesses the tools to:

• Create compelling online storefronts
• Offer flexible fulfillment options
• Manage and optimize delivery operations
• Deliver a branded, customer-focused experience

As digital habits evolve, consumers will continue to seek out businesses that combine convenience with care. With the right tools in place, your business can stand out—and thrive—even in an Amazon-dominated world.