In-Store Marketplace

What In-Store Marketplace does

In-Store Marketplace (ISM) is a programmatic retail media platform that standardizes and unifies digital in-store advertising across any hardware and software provider. The platform centralizes impression-based inventory, order management, creative workflow approvals, and embedded reporting into a single self-serve interface, addressing fragmentation in the in-store media ecosystem. ISM serves four primary stakeholder types: Retail Media Networks (RMNs) seeking to manage their own in-store media networks, Retail Media Platforms (RMPs) integrating in-store inventory alongside onsite/offsite, In-Store Solution Providers (hardware/software vendors), and Demand Side Platforms (DSPs) seeking programmatic access to in-store audio and display inventory.

The product suite is organized around three core solutions: Retail Media Networks (campaign and inventory management with creative approval workflows), Retail Media Platforms (API-based supply integration and automated inventory access), and Omnichannel Measurement (standardized impression methodology spanning in-store, onsite, and offsite). The Shopper Purchase Rate (SPR) framework, developed with Catalyst Media Consulting, provides a measurement layer addressing misalignment between brands, retailers, agencies, and RMNs. Technology infrastructure relies on integration interoperability rather than proprietary AI, with API-based connectivity, multi-user approval workflows, and same-day inventory updates.

Revenue mechanics combine platform licensing/subscription fees (RMN and RMP customers), advertising revenue (programmatic audio and display, with inventory sold through Vibenomics), and marketplace commissions (advertisers buying diverse inventory through the platform). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise sales with a demo-driven motion, supplemented by channel partners (retail media networks like Stater Bros. and WHSmith) and DSP integrations. The company is operationally connected to Mood Media through shared executive leadership (Dave Simon holds senior roles at ISM, Mood Media, and Vibenomics), and leverages Mood Media's existing in-store hardware footprint. Headcount is 11-50 employees, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with no disclosed funding rounds or institutional investors.

Name

In-Store Marketplace

Legal name

In-Store Marketplace

Website

https://instoremarketplace.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

In-Store Marketplace (ISM) is a programmatic retail media platform that standardizes and unifies digital in-store advertising across any hardware or software provider. It serves Retail Media Networks, Retail Media Platforms, In-Store Solution Providers, and DSPs via a self-serve platform managing inventory, orders, creative workflow, and omnichannel measurement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Media Technology Platform

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Order Management & Inventory Orchestration (OMS) (CRAFAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Enterprise Service Management (ESM) Platforms (HDAEALAB)

Keywords

• Retail media platform
• In-store advertising
• Programmatic media buying
• Omnichannel measurement
• Retail media networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Platform Licensing/Subscription: ISM provides a centralized platform serving as a single point of integration for Retail Media Networks, Retail Media Platforms, In-Store Solution Providers, and DSPs. The platform simplifies campaign management and provides tools for inventory management, order management, and reporting.
2. In-Store Media Advertising: Programmatic in-store audio and display advertising across retail locations. The platform enables brands to reach consumers in high-intent moments through targeted audio messaging and digital screens. Inventory is sold through partners like Vibenomics.
3. Marketplace Commission: Providing advertisers access to diverse inventory of in-store audio and display media through the platform, enabling streamlined ad buying and campaign management.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

In-Store Marketplace (ISM) operates a unified programmatic retail media platform that standardizes and centralizes digital in-store media operations for Retail Media Networks, Retail Media Platforms, In-Store Solution Providers, and DSPs. The platform delivers impression-based inventory management, self-serve order management with multi-approver creative workflows, embedded proof-of-performance reporting, and API-based supply integration across in-store audio and display media from any hardware/software provider.

Product overview

In-Store Marketplace (ISM) is a unified retail platform that standardizes and centralizes digital in-store media operations. The platform consists of three integrated solutions: Retail Media Networks (for managing campaign inventory, order management, creative workflows, and embedded reporting), Retail Media Platforms (for enabling simplified ad buying, API-based supply integration, automated inventory access, and always-on marketplaces), and Omnichannel Measurement (for standardizing audience measurement across in-store, onsite, and offsite channels). ISM serves Retail Media Networks, Retail Media Platforms, In-Store Solution Providers, and DSPs through a self-serve, automated, and integrated platform that unifies in-store display and audio media from any hardware or software provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retail Media Networks Solution

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of shoppers notice in-store advertising (audio, screens, or signage)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Stater Bros. MarketsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026In-Store Marketplace partnered with Stater Bros. Markets to launch a retail media network across 165 Southern California grocery locations. The partnership leverages ISM's programmatic platform combined with Mood Media's existing hardware infrastructure. Initial phase focuses on programmatic audio messaging, expanding later to digital screens. Network reaches 2.5 million weekly store visits.
• Mood MediacoreTechnology or Integration · 5 May 2026Mood Media provides hardware infrastructure for in-store audio and display systems used by ISM's retail media network partners including Stater Bros. The existing Mood Media hardware enables programmatic audio messaging deployment.
• VibenomicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 May 2026Vibenomics handles advertising inventory sales for ISM's audio networks, including the Stater Bros. in-store audio network. Vibenomics is an affiliate company under Mood Media focused on in-store audio advertising activation.
• Catalyst Media ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026ISM released a research report in partnership with Catalyst Media Consulting finding that barriers to scaling in-store media include measurement misalignment among brands, retailers, agencies, and retail media networks. The report introduces the Shopper Purchase Rate framework for evaluating in-store media performance.
• WHSmith North America Media NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026ISM partnered with WHSmith North America Media Network to launch a retail media network across 350+ U.S. airport stores, combining approximately 700 digital screens and audio channels in a unified programmatic ecosystem. Early adopters include Frito-Lay and Bose activating campaigns.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vibenomics: In-store audio advertising network operating inside the same Mood Media ecosystem as ISM; sells audio ad inventory for ISM-powered networks such as Stater Bros., making it both partner and direct competitor in the in-store audio activation space.
• Cooler Screens: Digital in-store media company deploying smart screens on grocery cooler doors, directly competing for in-store digital advertising inventory and retailer relationships that ISM's platform targets.
• Adspace Networks: In-store digital advertising network operating digital screens in malls and grocery stores; competes for the same in-store digital ad inventory and retail media budgets as ISM.
• Grocery TV: In-store digital advertising network focused on grocery and convenience retail, offering audio and display advertising — a direct competitor for the same retailer/brand budgets ISM is targeting.

Broad incumbents

• The Trade Desk: Leading independent DSP with growing retail media and in-store activation ambitions; a broad incumbent that could compete with ISM by integrating in-store inventory directly into its omnichannel buying platform.
• Criteo: Commerce media platform with retail media network monetization capabilities; overlaps with ISM on enabling brands and retailers to buy and sell retail media inventory across digital channels.
• Walmart Connect: Walmart's owned retail media network encompassing onsite, offsite, and emerging in-store capabilities; a walled-garden competitor that could disintermediate neutral platforms like ISM for one of the largest US retailers.
• Quotient (Neptune Retail Solutions): Retail media technology provider offering digital promotions, coupons, and in-store media activation; competes for retailer budgets on in-store digital media and measurement.
• Mood Media: Global in-store media hardware and solutions provider whose infrastructure underpins ISM's deployments; ISM's president is concurrently an EVP here, making Mood Media both partner and the dominant incumbent in physical-store media infrastructure.
• Instacart Ads: Retail media network operated by Instacart, increasingly extending into in-store activation via Carrot Ads; competes for CPG in-store advertising budgets alongside ISM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/instoremktplace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instoremarketplace
• Instagraminstagram.com/instoremarketplace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about In-Store Marketplace