Grab to double down on GrabMart as Covid-19 boosts deliveries

Grab said it has expanded its daily essentials and grocery delivery service into eight countries in Southeast Asia amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the last three months, Grab has rolled out GrabMart in 50 cities across Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Photo credit: Grab

GrabMart is an on-demand delivery service that helps users buy consumer goods such as groceries, home essentials, health and beauty items, and gifts, among others. It also serves as a new channel for Grab’s merchant partners to reach more consumers online.

Grab said it has partnered with over 3,000 stores, including supermarkets and convenience stores, to date.

It will continue to double down on expanding its GrabMart service to continue supporting consumers’ shopping needs in the post-pandemic era.

“Covid-19 has accelerated the adoption of on-demand delivery services across Southeast Asia,” Demi Yu, regional head of GrabFood and GrabMart, said. “In a post-Covid-19 normal, we anticipate demand for delivery services to remain elevated.”

Last month, Grab’s group CEO and founder Anthony Tan said that Grab has seen a sharp decline in its ride-hailing business, with volumes in some markets down by double-digit percentages. However, its online food and grocery delivery business has seen increased demand as people stay at home during the pandemic.

According to some reports, Southeast Asia’s online grocery market is expected to reach US$309 billion by 2021. Grab’s archrival Gojek has also expanded its GoFood service to let users purchase grocery items and have them delivered to their homes during the lockdown.

In India, food delivery unicorn Swiggy also expanded its services to deliver groceries and essentials to over 125 cities. Restaurant discovery app Zomato has also started delivering groceries in more than 80 cities in the country.