(Source: Inside Retail Philippines | 30 September 2016)
Online concierge and delivery service Honestbee Manila is expected to launch in 2017.
The fast-growing Singapore-headquartered company secured funding last year to continue its Asian expansion and launched in Hong Kong a year ago, where this week it expanded its service into Kowloon and launched a Chinese language version of its website.
“Our vision is to be the largest and most convenient online supermarket in Asia,” says Honestbee CEO/co-founder Joel Sng.
In Hong Kong, Honestbee offers some 4000 grocery items and household products in partnership with ParkNshop and other retailers.
In Singapore, Honestbee partners with supermarkets and specialty stores such as NTUC FairPrice, the Pet Lovers Center, and gourmet boutiques and specialty stores, Gastronomia Da Paolo, Mmmm!, The Butcher’s Dog, Crystal Wines, GNC and Four Seasons Organic.
Potential partners in the Philippines could include Rustan’s and The SM Store.
The concept enables traditional grocery companies to significantly increase their revenue through Honestbee’s on-demand eCommerce platform where they fulfil customers’ orders in as little time as within the hour.
“Most people in Asia are time-starved due to the demands of their job and a large proportion of the population do not possess their own vehicles. With our on-demand delivery service, time-crunched customers can enjoy the widest choices from their favourite stores, even at the last minute, when they shop through Honestbee,” said co-founder Isaac Tay
“With a crowdsourced workforce, orders are fulfilled by concierge shoppers who shop at top supermarkets and boutiques stores, and a delivery team which brings the orders to customers’ homes, all within-the-next-hour golden time slots of choice. This eliminates the cost of infrastructure building, such as the need for warehousing, additional manpower and equipment. In return, honestbee brings increased efficiency and convenience to customers, as well as improved margins for partners.”
Besides the Philippines, Honestbee is targeting Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo.
Read more: https://insideretail.ph/honestbee-manila-launch-likely-in-2017/
