As Indonesia implements large-scale social restrictions, shoppers have increasingly turned to online channels to make purchases. E-commerce transaction volume is expected to rise during Ramadan, which is typically the busiest time for retailers in Indonesia. To anticipate a surge in demand, a number of platforms have launched various new features to help customers shop more conveniently in the comfort of their homes.
Lazada is cooperating with Rumah Sayur Group to provide fresh vegetables harvested by 2,500 farmers in West Java, ensuring the availability of fresh produce and meat at a critical time. Fresh food that is purchased through Lazada is delivered within three hours after it is picked up by courier partners, one of which is Gojek. Lazada has also linked up with other institutions, including the Indonesian Bureau of Logistics, to list daily necessities for sale.
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Shopee has a new category on its platform called Shopee Food, where customers can order snacks and hot meals from restaurants, as well as fresh food ingredients from SME partners. The platform currently has listings from more than 500 F&B establishments, and it will add more merchants as well as broaden its service coverage beyond Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Blibli expects a threefold jump in orders during Ramadan, as were the cases in 2019 and 2018. The platform will launch its own pay-later service soon, allowing users to settle payment 30 days after their purchase. With this new feature, Blibli now has nine payment options supported by 36 partners, which include banks and mobile wallet platforms. Blibli is also working with the Ministry of Agriculture to sell fresh produce online, facilitating a new channel of income for farmers.
With physical distancing measures in place, Indonesians rely on online grocery services now more than ever. Besides a spike in daily transactions, Blibli also recorded a 90% increase in the number of sellers, according to a statement by the company. To support new and existing merchants on its site, the company runs the Fulfillment by Blibli (FBB) program, where the e-commerce company handles the entire logistics process, from warehousing to shipping, to trim operational costs for sellers.
