Retail operators have launched several measures at once to revive sales after malls were ordered closed and consumers began shifting to online shopping to avoid contracting Covid-19.
Piyawan Piyapong, executive vice-president for service and e-commerce business at Big C Supercenter Plc, said the company recently launched its express delivery service, focusing on delivering grocery items such as fresh vegetables, meats, ready-to-eat and frozen food items to shoppers within one hour.
Shoppers can order at www.BigC.co.th and choose "Express Delivery".
The company earlier this month set up a special team of 100 people to provide the service to inner Bangkok shoppers in the Sukhumvit, Ratchadaphisek and Bang Na areas.
“We have changed the uniform of our staff for express delivery and implemented safety measures such as social distancing to reassure consumers of our delivery approach," Ms Piyawan said, adding that people can order products via express delivery service seven days a week. The company collects a minimum charge of 59 baht per delivery.
“Now our express service covers about 70% of Bangkokian shoppers," Ms Piyawan said. "In keeping with a positive response, we will provide our express delivery service to cover all Bangkok areas early next month. Some other major cities are also in the pipeline."
She said the company plans to increase the number of motorcycles and has spoken with a logistics firm under its group to provide service to shoppers.
A week ago, 7-Eleven operator CP All Plc announced the hiring of 20,000 people to deliver products to customers’ homes.
CP All started its food delivery at its own branches and will soon extend the service to franchise stores nationwide.
Suthavadee Sirithanachai, deputy managing director of The Emporium and The EmQuartier, said the two upmarket malls have joined forces with 27 food and drink companies to provide food orders and home delivery.
Delivery service is available from Gourmet Market on the ground floor of The EmQuartier. Food brands participating in the service include Another Hound Cafe, Dean & Deluca, Escape Bangkok, Fuji, Four Seasons, Greyhound Cafe, Laem Charoen Seafood, Man Fu Yuan Kitchen, MK Live, Paul and Harrods.
Voralak Tulaphorn, chief marketing officer of The Mall Group Co, said the company has enhanced its online shopping with the launch of a “call to order" service. Customers can phone in orders for pickup or delivery from all branches except Nakhon Ratchasima, Ngam Wong Wan, Ramkhamhaeng, Hua Hin and Tha Phra.
Robinson Plc, meanwhile, has adopted a similar service to arch rival The Mall, called Robinson Call and Shop. Products will be sent to the customer's home or can be picked up at Robinson's drive-through window.