Rakuten launches express delivery
In this article (5)
Japan’s leading eCommerce portal Rakuten has launched Rakubin – a new rapid delivery service which promises goods in as little as 20 minutes – 2 hours a day.
The new service has made its debut in the Tokyo suburbs of Shibuya, Setagaya, Minato and Meguro. It applies to a limited range of 450 items – largely convenience or drug-store core lines, such as noodles, cafe products, confectionery and coffee; detergent, toilet paper and diapers.
In the Rakubin app, users can check the estimated time of delivery before placing their order.
After the order has been completed, a delivery interval of 15 minutes will be displayed, allowing users to effectively make use of the time before the arrival of the order. The delivery cost for one order is 390 yen (including tax) when users receive the goods beside the delivery vehicle at the specified location, and 770 yen (including tax) when the goods are delivered directly to users by a member of the delivery staff.
Fulfilment is undertaken by a fleet of delivery vans which carry stock of the items and circle the areas, awaiting despatch to delivery addresses.
Rakuten says it will expand the service to include a longer list of products, and a broader geographical area once the concept is bedded down and refined.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which areas in Tokyo are currently covered by the new Rakubin delivery service?
Which areas in Tokyo are currently covered by the new Rakubin delivery service?
The rapid delivery service, Rakubin, has initially launched in the Tokyo suburbs of Shibuya, Setagaya, Minato, and Meguro. Rakuten plans to expand its geographical reach once the concept is fully established.
Q.What types of products can customers order through the Rakubin service?
What types of products can customers order through the Rakubin service?
Customers can order a limited range of 450 items, primarily convenience or drug-store core lines. These include noodles, cafe products, confectionery, coffee, detergent, toilet paper, and diapers.
Q.How much does it cost to use the Rakubin service, and what are the options?
How much does it cost to use the Rakubin service, and what are the options?
The delivery cost is 390 yen (including tax) if goods are collected by the delivery vehicle, or 770 yen (including tax) for direct delivery by staff. Users can see estimated delivery times before ordering.
Q.How does Rakuten manage to provide such quick delivery times for Rakubin orders?
How does Rakuten manage to provide such quick delivery times for Rakubin orders?
Fulfilment is handled by a fleet of delivery vans that carry stock of the items. These vans circle the service areas, ready to be dispatched to delivery addresses as soon as an order is placed.
Reader pulse
Rakuten's Rakubin launch:
19,892 votes so far