Grab expands GrabExpress service to cater to demand

Grab expands GrabExpress service to cater to demand, illustration photo

The online food delivery sector has emerged as one of the few industries to flourish during the pandemic, as restaurants and cafés are often only allowed to serve takeaways during social distancing measures and so rely on online food delivery platforms to reach consumers.

However, the large outbreak is hurting food and beverage (F&B) outlets, most of which are operated by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In this context, Grab has expanded GrabExpress Instant Delivery (Food) to help SMEs thrive amidst the pandemic. The service, which is available at 27 per cent lower cost than the regular GrabExpress service, will provide these small business-owners with an option to sustain their businesses with easy-to-use and cost-effective delivery service.

In addition, Grab and Moca, its strategic partner in digital payments, are also launching exclusive promotions to encourage adoption of cashless payments to reduce potential transmission of the virus. The launch is part of the “Grab for Good” commitment to empower local businesses with digital-based initiatives that contribute to Vietnam’s socioeconomic recovery.

Nguyen Thai Hai Van, managing director of Grab Vietnam, said that SMEs are the backbone of the economy. However they are particularly vulnerable to the disruption caused by the pandemic. By extending GrabExpress Instant Delivery (Food), Grab hopes to make it easier for GrabFood merchant partners and F&B merchants, especially local SMEs, to adapt quickly to the current movement restrictions by offering safe and seamless food delivery to people at home.

Van added, “Adoption of digital solutions such as GrabExpress Instant Delivery also help SMEs keep up with the needs of consumers in the future. As part of the “Grab for Good” mission, our top priority is to leverage the Grab platform and technology to come out with new offerings, even for the smallest entrepreneurs or businesses to sustain their livelihoods in these most challenging times.”

On-premises restaurant dining is currently restricted and takeaways are heavily encouraged due to social distancing measures in many provinces and cities. The launch of GrabExpress Instant Delivery (Food) not only brings more sales opportunities to food vendors, but also offers Vietnamese consumers more variety for in-home dining while ensuring delivery is safe and cost-effective. Additionally, the service provides Grab driver-partners more opportunities to increase their potential earnings through increased deliveries.

To keep driver-partners and users safe when it comes to paying for orders, the new service also supports a cashless payment method via the Moca e-wallet. To facilitate wider adoption during the one-month trial period, SMEs are entitled to exclusive incentives from Moca and Grab, including but not limited to an attractive discount package of up to VND1 million ($43.40) for customers using cashless payments via bank cards or Moca. The package includes 100 codes of 50-per-cent discount at a maximum of VND10,000 (43 US cents) per order.

From now until the end of June, GrabExpress Instant Delivery (Food) is expanded to all Grab users, including F&B businesses, for a one-month trial. This includes vendors who are not registered at GrabFood merchant-partners. This will allow F&B SMEs that do not currently have a delivery solution to reach consumers at home.

All SMEs and GrabFood merchant-partners can avail of the savings and promotions to optimise operations while keeping costs in check. The GrabExpress Instant Delivery (Food) service will be added as an option for merchant-partners and users in-app, and follow the same flow of usage as other GrabExpress services.