Grab increases financial relief for restaurant partners and food merchants during COVID-19

Grab has launched a support fund worth VND70 billion ($3 million) to assist the community, government, and its partners in the fight against COVID-19

Supporting merchant partners to overcome tough times

Over the past six years in Vietnam, Grab has made constant efforts to improve services for better customer experience. The ride-hailing firm has helped its partners to increase their incomes, thereby contributing to improving their livelihoods.

In 2019, Grab launched Grab for Good, a social impact programme that aims to empower micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses and promote financial inclusion. Grab stays committed to implementing the Grab for Good programme in Vietnam.

In the midst of the rapidly-escalating COVID-19 crisis, Grab has led several initiatives to support its partners. Most recently, Grab has launched a support fund worth VND70 billion ($3 million) to assist drivers as well as delivery and merchant-partners as well as support the government's initiatives during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In particular, Grab uses part of the fund to support fast-food restaurant chains as well as 500 small- and medium-sized merchant partners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. The firm will implement a range of support activities such as running ads, promotions, and increasing PR activities, thereby helping restaurants attract new customers and increase revenue.

According to Pham Thi Thanh Phuong, managing director of the fast-food restaurant chain Aloha, Grab’s new policies are really helpful for restaurants and merchant partners in the mist of the rapidly-escalating COVID-19 crisis. In particular, Grab supports part of the rental fees of eligible merchant partners to maintain their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The support creates mutual benefits for both sides as the demand for takeaway food has soared during the national social distancing.

“Aloha has been Grab’s partner for years. Restaurant chains like us are suffering from the COVID-19 outbreak. We hope that Grab can reduce commission fees for restaurants to overcome the tough time,” she added.

On the same note, Le Lan Vy, manager of the Chili Chicken Hotpot restaurant in Thu Duc district, Ho Chi Minh City lauded Grab’s new policies to support merchant partners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that restaurants and cafés are struggling to pay high rental fees in the city with their shrinking revenue. Therefore, the rental fee support is welcome help for restaurants and cafés to survive the pandemic.

Joining hands with community in war on COVID-19

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Grab Vietnam has launched the Safer Everyday campaign with many meaningful activities. The ride-hailing firm has granted face masks to 33 health centres in seven northern provinces. Grab offered 50,000 face masks and 30,000 safety packages, including gloves and hand sanitiser to its drivers.

In addition, Grab has granted 100,000 face masks to the Ministry of Health and assisted in the delivery of vast amounts of the ministry’s own face masks to people in seven northern provinces including Dien Bien, Cao Bang, Ha Gian, Lang Son, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Quang Ninh. The activities aim to help locals in protecting their health and safety during the rapidly escalating COVID-19 outbreak.

Grab has recently teamed up with Vietnam’s social networking platform Lotus to launch a new channel named Corona Shield to provide useful information about COVID-19 for the community, especially customers, driver- and merchant partners. The channel is expected to attract public attention as well as raise the community’s awareness about prevention measures during the pandemic.

GrabFood has introduced contactless delivery to ensure hygiene and the health of customers during the COVID-19 crisis. Grab has also launched GrabMart, a grocery service on its app in Ho Chi Minh City. GrabMart is implemented in light of the government’s push for online shopping, providing a safe option for local people amid the spreading pandemic. This will also help consumers avoid panic-buying and stocking up on supplies during the crisis.

Grab is the only ride-hailing firm providing financial support to restaurant partners and food merchants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them to generate revenue and attract new customers during the crisis.