LOCAL APP PROVIDES LIVELIHOOD AND CONVENIENCE
EvEn before the Coronav irus (Cov id -19 ) pandemic immobilized most of the population this 2020, more Filipinos have been relying on delivery apps for their needs.
The busy lifestyles and worsening trafJ fic conditions, among others, contributed to the rise of these transactions. The unJ precedented pandemic, however, further highlighted the convenience and, for othJ ers, safety of getting essentials from the comfort of their own homes.
Unfortunately, even if it looks like the local market is saturated with delivery app options, some users — especially during the pandemic — are still having a difficult time to book deliveries while others wait weeks just to receive their essentials. There are also some whose dilemmas lie in the limited options of existing players.
Thus, for Agile Digital Ventures — the technology and digital investment arm of property giant, Megaworld — launching one more player with a unique offering could not be timelier.
Enter Pick.A.Roo, the group’s first all- in- one lifestyle delivery app for Android and Apple users. Available public since August 18* the delivery app promises to provide safe, hygienic, and contact-free delivery service from the store to people’s doors.
“People residing in key cities will be able to access over 300 Pick.A.Rooapproved brands and shop all their musthaves in one seamless app; from Apple products, gourmet hotel food, local IGtrends, and Michelin-star restaurants, to daily essentials like groceries, medicine, home and kitchen, and all your stay-athome needs,” shared Crystal Gonzalez, the app’s CEO and co-founder.
“We want to differentiate and empower high-quality local brands and premium retailers by creating a curated online space for them” Gonzalez emphasized.
Premium and fun
As of this writing, included in the growing list of the app’s premium-partner establishments and brands are Central by Landers SuperJ market, S&R, Manila Marriott Hotel, SheraJ ton Manila, Shangri-La at the Fort, Tim Ho Wan, Kam’s Roast, Hawker Chan and Tsuta, The Grid, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Paradise Dynasty, Las Flores, The Test Kitchen by Chef Josh Boutwood, The Parenting EmpoJ rium, Mothercare, Bodum, Gourdo’s, Joseph Joseph, MedExpress, Beyond the Box, and a Farm-to-Table initiative through Pickaroo’s Fresh Buys, most of which are not available in other delivery apps.
With business owners, executives and working professionals from 25 to 45 years residing in central business districts and key cities in Metro Manila as primary target market, the app made sure to inteJ grate premium feel to its interface without forgetting the fun side, hence, their choice of a quirky name and an equally quirky brand representation.
“We’ve combined the words ‘pick’ and ‘roo’ to form a fun expression. Pick repreJ sents our service, as customers select from our rainbow of choices, while
‘roo’ is an Old English word for ‘rest.’ Then we picked the unicorn because we wanted to capture the essence of a startup — fun, full of life and whimsiJ cal,” Gonzalez explained.
For and by Filipinos
Besides their premium offerings, the team behind Pick.A.Roo takes pride in being wholly developed by Filipinos.
“Even before this pandemic, we spent the entire year researching and planning a fresh concept that bridges the gap between premium offline brands and the growJ ing online segment. With this vision in mind, we decided that to be able to create a unique all-in-one and on-demand preJ mium delivery experience, we had to build our own homegrown start-up and redefine the Filipino’s shopping experience,” shared Pick.A.Roo founder Kevin Tan.
They also highlighted that the app was thoughtfully created with the local community’s needs at its core. As such, they not only provide premium choices for users but safe livelihood for their team as well — a struggle for many workers in these trying times.
Pick.A.Roo’s partnership with FWD Life Philippines provides life insurance to their 1500 riders and personal shoppers. On top of providing protection, a financial literacy program will be rolled out too.
As the country’s first homegrown preJ mium delivery app, Pick.A.Roo makes sure it provides the following focal points to meet their clients’ premium need.
First is “Quality over quantity,” where users can shop directly from a curated roster of local and internaJ
tional merchants that are all regisJ tered and verified businesses.
Next is “on- demand and scheduled delivery options” where users can choose to have their favorite products delivered right away or schedule it for up to three days in advance.
Third is “hygiene and safety.” Both customers and employees can have peace of mind as the app implements strict hyJ giene and safety protocols which include rapid testing of all their over 1500 shoppers and riders, thermal scanner checks, and constant disinfecting of delivery bags. Also, all riders and shoppers are provided clinical-grade face shields and masks.
Fourth on its list are the multiple payment options. Powered by PayMaJ ya, users can make payments through credit card, debit card, or e-wallets. They can also pay with cash upon deJ livery, which customers must place in clear money bags provided by the rider, to comply with the contact-free policy.
As the app continuous to grow, followJ ing updates will also boast of the unique “single checkout” option where users can order from multiple shops and pay all at once; and the Drive-through or Curbside pick-up options in strategic places.
After downloading the app from Play Store/Google Play, users can quickly sign up by using their mobile numbers. Its easy-to-use interface is designed to suit all customers in need of the service, whatever age they may be. Users can also select their preferred mode of communication: Viber, WhatsApp, or SMS. Voice call from our shoppers or riders are also available, as well as access to the live chat concierge in-app.
Finally, users will be able to order from establishments with up to 10-kilometer radius from their location. This will give customers more options and also give reJ tailers wider reach and sales growth.
Indeed, even when faced with a challenge of this magnitude, Filipinos can rely on their fellow ingenious Filipinos to come up with solutions that cater to both sides of the fence — the users and the service providers.