Aeon plans foray into on-demand delivery services

Aeon Co (M) Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based online concierge and delivery service, honestbee, to venture into on-demand delivery services.

This new delivery option, which uses personal shoppers to pick up and deliver orders, will enable Aeon customers to make their purchases online, via honestbee mobile app or website.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Aeon executive director Poh Ying Loo said the alliance is part of the group’s strategy to speed up its e-commerce business and at the same time add value to its outlets.

Aeon joined the e-commerce bandwagon in late 2015 through its online website called shoppu.com.my, offering various product categories including electronics, fashion and household items.

Asked on how this new service will help to elevate its e-commerce sales growth, Poh said at this point of time, it is still early to determine. It was reported that the group’s online website shoppu.com.my contribution in financial year 2016 (FY16) remained marginal.

For now, Poh said the new online marketplace platform will only offer delivery service for grocery items at its flagship store, Aeon Mid Valley. He said customer who live within 17km radius from the store will enjoy a minimum one-hour delivery service.

Commenting on its future plans for e-commerce segment, Aeon managing director Shinobu Washizawa said going forward, the group will have more such innovations in the pipeline.

“In order to enhance the value for our customers by moving towards an omni-channel retailer, we want to combine our strengths with honestbee’s expertise to digitalise our customer’s shopping experience.”

“We will closely monitor the feedback and demands from our customers, and consider to expand this service both in terms of regional and in merchandise offering,” Washizawa added.

At present, Aeon has 26 malls, 33 Aeon outlets and two Maxvalu prime supermarkets across the country.

Launched in 2015, honestbee currently has presence in eight markets including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. To date, it has 112 partners, providing more than 90,000 products across the markets.