NRS partners with NationsBenefits to boost independent retailers
National Retail Solutions (NRS) announced a strategic partnership with NationsBenefits that will allow NRS merchants to accept NationsBenefits Over-the-Counter (OTC) Flex Card that the companies say will drive health plan members into local independent stores to purchase essential health and wellness products.
Both say that this partnership now equips mom-and-pop shops with the same benefit-acceptance tools utilized by national pharmacy chains and big-box stores, leveling the playing field and helping them attract new shoppers.
NRS retailers can now process NationsBenefits Flex Card directly through the NRS Pay card reader with a single, automated tap. This capability is built directly into the NRS POS ecosystem as a native payment option, eliminating the need for complex integrations or additional hardware.
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“Local convenience stores and bodegas are the heartbeat of their neighborhoods, but they often face stiff competition from brick-and-mortar corporate chains,” said Elie Y. Katz, president and CEO of NRS. “By partnering with NationsBenefits, we are giving our independent merchants the power to compete. This integration drives foot traffic by making our merchants' stores a go-to destination for health plan members. It ensures that local shoppers can easily access the products they need, while our store owners gain a powerful new revenue stream to help them thrive.”
The integration will automatically recognize eligible items in a shopper’s basket and when a patron taps their NationsBenefits Flex Card, the system identifies approved products thereby ensuring a frictionless checkout experience.
Eligible products shoppers can now purchase at NRS locations include healthy, fresh foods and produce, vitamins and minerals, first-aid and medical supplies, non-prescription pain relievers, cold, flu, and allergy medication, dental, digestive, eye, and ear care, personal and skin care, and more.
“This partnership enables more personalized touchpoints that unite retail, healthcare, and fintech, creating a smoother and more tailored member experience,” said Michael Parker, Co-CEO of NationsBenefits. “By enhancing the way people shop, we can ultimately help inspire healthier behaviors and improved outcomes.”
For independent store owners, the ability to accept these benefits represents a significant competitive advantage.
“Simplicity is at the core of everything we do,” said Josh Korman, director of business development at NRS. “This partnership delivers a ‘one tap’ solution that removes operational friction. The cashier requires no manual sorting or guesswork; the NRS POS automates the entire redemption process, allowing store owners to focus on serving their patrons while expanding their payment options.”
