'Deliver’-ing transformation in Bangladesh

After achieving the Digital Bangladesh target, Bangladesh is currently progressing towards the aspiration of becoming a Smart Nation. Rapid improvements and innovation in digital services have been key catalysts in this transformational process, and organizations like Foodpanda have been significant contributors to this progress.

foodpanda, throughout its decade-long presence in Bangladesh, has built a comprehensive and dependable food and grocery delivery ecosystem that has connected numerous SMEs and restaurants with customers and riders. The company has empowered its retail and restaurant partners by creating an easy and convenient platform that is now accessed by millions every day. In 2023 alone, Foodpanda has digitally transformed more than 6,000 SMEs, while also providing added convenience to over 250,000 customers through quick commerce (q-commerce).

Foodpanda has made efforts to improve the delivery system landscape in Bangladesh, one way is by transforming the country's q-commerce sector. Given the scale and reach of Foodpanda, partners can benefit from the economies of scale without any hefty investments. Restaurants and retail partners now no longer have to rely on walk-in customers only and can take advantage of Foodpanda's tech and logistics infrastructure to serve online, on-demand orders made by customers

The platform was also a crucial lifeline during the Covid-19 pandemic when most people avoided going to restaurants. The company ensured that proper safety measures were taken by restaurants through various programs that were co-developed with the Bangladesh Food Safety Association (BSFA).

In accelerating the availability of digital services, the leading delivery platform launched Pandamart and Shopsin 2020, in turn creating a hub for one-click grocery shopping. The platform also introduced pick-up for seamless takeaways for customers on the go. Additionally, through dine-in , customers are able to enjoy special discounts when dining at select partner restaurants. To further provide a more rewarding experience, foodpanda introduced Pandapro, foodpanda's subscription service through which customers can enjoy the benefits of most Foodpanda services. Beyond delivering food and groceries, foodpanda also launched Pandago, an on-demand courier service which enables businesses and customers to leverage Foodpanda's fleet of delivery riders for parcel delivery, with deliveries conducted within the hour.

Beyond providing value to customers, Foodpanda also provides individuals with accessible earning opportunities. More than 120,000 riders have been working with Foodpanda over the past 10 years, and in 2023 alone, the company has provided over 15,000 riders with earning opportunities. Beyond that, the organization has been continuously working towards enhancing the experience of rider partners by providing subsidized medical insurance and enabling them to upskill through the learning platform, Shikho. With its strong tech and logistics infrastructure, Foodpanda is able to uplift food vendors and entrepreneurs in numerous ways. The company has been providing food vendors access to cloud kitchens – panda kitchens – where vendors can conduct their delivery-only businesses without the burden of logistical hassles and overhead costs. In addition, through the Home Chef program, entrepreneurs can transform their culinary passions into thriving business endeavours. In 2023, foodpanda has empowered over 1,000 entrepreneurs through the Home Chef program. Additionally, through panda ads, partners can run integrated marketing campaigns on the platform - allowing them to achieve varied business objectives, including increasing awareness, or generating leads.

Foodpanda has also made strides in transforming sustainable practices within the industry. One way it is doing so is by pioneering the default cutlery opt-out feature, which decreases plastic usage by encouraging customers not to ask for plastic cutlery unless they have to. Since then, nearly 95 percent of customers no longer opt for plastic cutleries. Foodpanda Bangladesh is also working to decrease fuel emissions by encouraging its delivery partners to use a more sustainable mode of transport - which has resulted in 88% of riders using bicycles as a mode of transportation to deliver.

Foodpanda remains committed to continue providing value to customers, merchant partners, and delivery riders by continually innovating. Of course, this would not have been possible without the efforts and dedication of the teams that work behind the scenes. What began with a team of only 4 people, has now grown to be an enterprising team that has added value for over 1600,000 lives in 2023 alone! Foodpanda aims to continue 'delivering' transformation to achieve a smart Bangladesh vision.