By MOLLY TUCKER

MyWebGrocer of Colchester recently purchased the U.S. operations of Buy4Now, which provides software and services to retail grocers in Ireland who want to sell their products online.

Founded in 2000, Buy4Now opened offices in Northport, Long Island, NY, in 2004 to offer its software and services to grocers in the United States, operating as Buy4NowUSA. It is now a subsidiary of MyWebGrocer, which means Buy4NowUSA’s customers — including A&P, New Seasons Market and Roche Brothers Supermarkets — are now clients of MyWebGrocer as well.

Rich Tarrant Jr., CEO, founded MyWebGrocer in 1999 to allow shoppers to order groceries online in return for a service fee charged by the grocery chain. Some stores offer customers the choice of picking up the groceries at a drive-in location while other stores deliver to the customer’s door.

“We have seen the average fee for using the online shopping service range from $4 to $6 for in-store pickup and between $10 and $20 for home delivery,” says Tim Kenney, the chief operating officer of MyWebGrocer.

MyWebGrocer’s online grocery solution is served from a hosted model and based on transaction fees. Buy4Now offers a traditional software license that can be customized.

“Buy4Now and MyWebGrocer were complementary companies in the online grocery space,” says Kenney. ”Buy4Now’s fully customized e-commerce solution application was a perfect fit for retailers looking for a traditional software license model.”

Retailers using the Buy4Now platform now have access to all of MyWebGrocer’s applications, including interactive circulars, recipes and e-mail services.

MyWebGrocer provides services to more than 90 grocery chains with more than 4,500 individual stores, including Shoprite, Lowes Food Stores, Big Y and Food Lion. The company is hoping to add Vermont grocery store chains as customers.

“Unfortunately, Vermont grocers seem to be trailing the rest of the country in offering online grocery shopping,” says Kenney. “At this time there aren’t any grocery chains in Vermont offering online shopping with us, or to our knowledge, in any other manner.”

The company employs 60 people at its headquarters in Colchester, almost doubling its staff from last year. Kenney says the economy hasn’t affected business.

“Despite the economic downturn, online shopping continues to experience growth year over year,” he says. “The economy is driving more people to look at the online specials and interactive circulars. These additional visitors to the advertising network are increasing our overall traffic.”

According to Kenney, online shoppers spend 21 percent more shopping online than when they shop in the store, and they spend more in each shopping session.

“It’s easier, faster, and more convenient than going in the store,” he says. ”The ability to plan meals with recipes and shop specials also adds to the experience. For a busy person like a working mother, it instantly creates a tie with the local store and builds brand loyalty.”

MyWebGrocer is located at 354 Mountain View Drive, Suite 350, Colchester, VT. The phone number is 888.662.2284. The Web site is www.mywebgrocer.com.