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Online grocer RedMart eyes at Asian market

By Minjun ParkSingapore
1 min read
RedMart marketplace e1438312846371
RedMart marketplace e1438312846371
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Singapore-based online grocery organization RedMart is near raising a huge $100 million Series C round to grow its services crosswise over Asia. The new subsidizing is relied upon to shut in the following couple months. The organization was established in November 2011 to convey online and on-demand shopping to Singapore. To date, RedMart has raised over $50 million from investors such as Garena, SoftBank Ventures Korea, Visionnaire Ventures, and Facebook co­founder Eduardo Saverin, with its latest raise a $26.7 million bridge round last year.

Given the absence of Series C stores in Southeast Asia, this new round might well incorporate institutional and vital investors, however none of the participants were not unveiled at this point. The new financing will go towards growing the organization’s services into new markets in Asia, with Hong Kong liable to be the primary port of call, conceivably took after by Jakarta, Indonesia.

RedMart CEO Roger Egan has been open about the organization’s craving to expand abroad, yet he and his group are determined that the organization should first lockdown its plan of action in Singapore — a nation of only five million people, but with a grocery market expected to worth around $16 billion every year. RedMart’s technique is to work its own particular logistics and distribution centers, a model that it trusts gives it more control of the client service cycle and will empower it to rapidly wander into different verticals later on.

While it was apparently the first to pioneer online grocery sales in Southeast Asia, the scene is more focused today with investment supported new companies HonestBee ($15 million) and HappyFresh ($12 million) among a emerging pack of opponents.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is RedMart's strategy for managing customer service and future expansion?

A.

RedMart operates its own logistics and distribution centres. This model aims to give the company more control over the customer service cycle and allow it to venture into different verticals later on.

Q.

Which markets does RedMart intend to enter first after securing its new funding?

A.

The new funding will support expansion into new markets across Asia. Hong Kong is likely to be the first destination, potentially followed by Jakarta, Indonesia.

Q.

Who are RedMart's main competitors in the online grocery market currently?

A.

RedMart faces competition from an emerging pack of rivals in Southeast Asia. These include HonestBee, which has raised $15 million, and HappyFresh, which has secured $12 million in investment.

Q.

What is the estimated annual value of the grocery market in Singapore?

A.

The grocery market in Singapore is expected to be worth approximately $16 billion every year. RedMart's CEO, Roger Egan, is focused on first establishing the company's business model there.

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