Online grocer RedMart expands scope, launches on-demand service

• Covers hot meals and other food, household items, apparel, electronics
• Personal shoppers called ‘Runners’ will deliver goods within an hour

 
SINGAPORE-based online grocery service RedMart has launched RedMart Relay, its ‘on-demand’ marketplace app.
 
RedMart Relay will enable customers to order products from participating food and retail partners, including hot meals and other food, household items, apparel, electronics, and much more, the company said in a statement.
 
These items will be delivered by ‘Runners’ – personal shoppers who go to the participating stores, purchase the products, and deliver them directly to the customer, all within one hour of ordering, it added.
 
“We aspire to become an ‘everything store,’ delivering just about anything to anyone at any time,” said cofounder and chief executive officer Roger Egan.
 
“We started with groceries because it is the largest market and has the highest customer engagement.
 
“It also requires the most robust technology and logistics infrastructure due to the operational complexity of the category. By controlling the entire supply chain, from fulfilment through last-mile delivery, we have been able to innovate and create a superior customer experience,” he declared.
 
Egan (pic) said the company launched RedMart Marketplace earlier this year by partnering with niche grocers, restaurants and speciality shops to offer over 25,000 products.
 
“Marketplace products are picked up from our partners, consolidated, and delivered along with the regular RedMart grocery order.
 
“Customers are clearly appreciating this ‘one-stop shop’ and our marketplace has been growing at 30% to 40% per month,” he claimed.
 
With the launch of RedMart Relay, the company is extending this marketplace model to be ‘on-demand,’ he added.
 
The RedMart Relay app (http://relay.redmart.com/) will now be made available to RedMart customers living in Tiong Bahru, Telok Blangah, Keppel, Sentosa, West Coast, Tanjong Pagar and Marina Bay neighbourhoods, with products from dozens of local retailers available for delivery.
 
RedMart Relay will be rolled out across the whole of Singapore in early 2016, the company added.
 
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