E-commerce social enterprise SariSuki announced the creation of a dedicated logistics unit to serve the fast-growing network of retail members and consumers looking for efficient and reliable delivery of groceries and basic essentials.
Supah, a business unit of SariSuki, guarantees quality grocery items are delivered within 15 minutes, covering a range of popular snacks, condiments, beverages, fresh produce, dry and frozen goods, among others.
“Our business puts tremendous value on our customers’ time and needs. We see doing the grocery as effortless, time-saving and economical, while still making it possible to attend to other things. Thanks to our efficient ecosystem of suppliers, vendors and riders, we are able to fulfill this commitment without a delivery fee,” said SariSuki co-founder and chief executive Brian Cu.
E-commerce startup Supah began operations in the Philippines, making it the first digital rapid grocery delivery service in the country.
Unlike traditional retailers, who deliver from stores or warehouses, instant commerce companies deliver directly from smaller format dark stores that are located strategically in high density areas.
On the Supah App is an assortment of different products, from international and local brands. The list includes a rich selection of premium items across various food, beverage, household, personal care, home care, and pet care segments.
Head of quick commerce at Supah Timothy Cu said the rise of instant commerce accelerated during the pandemic. Instant commerce is a rapid service where companies promise to deliver groceries and other curated essentials in 15 minutes or less.
At Supah, deliveries are guaranteed fast, safe and secure, unlike the some online consolidators who were, at some point in time, inundated with complaints from consumers due to fake deliveries and unverified deliveries.
“The delivery updates are provided on the Supah app itself. As of the moment, live location tracking is unavailable, but customers are updated with order milestones,” said Cu.
With over a hundred riders, Supah is one of the most reliable and fastest delivery platform in the country. All riders are in-house, said Cu, adding that vertical integration is a key part of its business model.
Without any ties from third party logistics partners, Supah is free from the cumbersome, and at times, tricky deals associated with some logistics partners.
SariSuki spent over P100 million to equip Supah with the necessary support framework, said Cu. It aims to cover 5 million population in Metro Manila.
JG Summit president and CEO Lance Gokongwei said Supah offers great potential as it tries to address the consumers’ evolving needs in grocery shopping by finding the optimal balance among several critical factors like speed, assortment, value and convenience.
“This innovative technology will help shape the future of grocery shopping in the country,” said Gokongwei who recently joined SariSuki as one of the board directors.
JG Digital Equity Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of JG Summit, is an investor in Sarisuki.
Supah operates every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Delivery services are initially available in Makati City, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Pasig City, Mandaluyong City, San Juan City, Binondo in Manila and New Manila and Timog areas in Quezon City.
SariSuki’s expansion to rest of the country will provide virtual retail access for basic necessities for millions of consumers and a window of opportunity for retailers.
“We are currently focused on getting the existing stores to a state of profitability while we listen on-ground for demand for the service in other areas of Metro Manila,” Cu said.
