The Sustainabilist | E-COMMERCE
Grocers Turn Online The Sustainabilist spoke with Xavi Nunes, Chief Marketing Officer of el Grocer on the brand’s adaptation and future predictions.
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lthough movement restrictions have eased within the UAE and abroad, food delivery services have boomed. The F&B sector through online grocery delivery, pre-prepared food boxes, and restaurant delivery services are capitalising on these unprecedented circumstances. The digital transformation has shown that it is more than a temporary measure for short-term needs as the concept of eliminating unnecessary outings and the importance of touch-free experiences continue. Launched in 2015, el Grocer was one of the first online grocery delivery platforms in the MENA region. As a first mover, the brand managed to build a strong market share within its core market, the UAE. el Grocer, like many businesses has 32
had to adapt to the new situation. The Sustainabilist spoke with Xavi Nunes, Chief Marketing Officer of el Grocer on the brand’s adaptation and future predictions. What is the el Grocer’s business model and what is the brand focusing on for the upcoming months? el Grocer is an online grocery platform that connects retailers, consumers along with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands across all seven Emirates of the UAE. Our wide range of retailers and network of 150+ stores make it possible to offer a variety of products to meet all tastes, occasions, and shopper missions. Users can find selected supermarkets, like Union Coop and Grandiose as well as specialty stores like Eataly, or Paul Bakery on our platform.
el Grocer is currently focusing on sustainable growth. After the huge surge in demand driven by Covid-19, we are focusing mainly on operations, technology, and people. We have implemented a series of projects from mid-March amid the rising demand and the subsequent lockdown, including increasing our operations team by almost 3-fold and focusing on continuous training and education. How has el Grocer facilitated shopping for customers, and how does it enhance their grocery routines? el Grocer is an incredible platform that connects thousands of users with hundreds of stores across the UAE. We even deliver in Khor Fakkan and Kalba, which makes us the online grocery marketplace with the widest reach in the country. el Grocer
