Midwest Grocer Coborn's to Launch Retail Media Network
Minnesota-based grocer Coborn's is entering the retail media arena through a partnership with Digits Agency.
Coborn's plans to roll out a regional retail media network (RMN) in fall 2025, giving CPG brands new ways to connect with shoppers across 66 stores in five states.
Digits will power and directly manage the RMN with a full-service approach, allowing Coborn's to focus on its in-store experience and retail operations while providing brand partners with access to digital media and first-party data, according to a media release.
Initial media offerings will include:
- On-site display advertising via Instacart.
- Off-site programmatic leveraging The Trade Desk and Rippl audiences.
- Digital coupons powered by Birdzi.
- Targeted email campaigns.
Digits will provide full-service execution, giving brand partners a streamlined campaign process and planning tools, including annual program commitments, first-party audience targeting and performance tracking across placements.
The RMN is structured so that brands approve campaigns without needing to manage execution directly.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Coborn's RMN will expand to include in-store assets such as:
- Signage
- Checkout monitors
- Cart wipes
- Sponsored search and social advertising (in future phases)
Additionally, future phases will explore sponsored search and social advertising, the companies said.
Based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Coborn's is an employee-owned grocery retailer comprising 78 stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. It operates under a family of banners, namely: Coborn's, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods, Hornbacher's, Kessler's Food and Grocery and Sullivan's Foods.
The retailer also operates fuel, liquor, coffee, hardware and pharmacy locations.
