THE Penang government has always look ahead and in line with that, it is now introducing ‘Grabmart’, a goods delivery service to Penangites.
This is a joint initiative between the state government and Grab Malaysia (Grab) and they have selected Chowrasta Market as the first market in the state to implement the programme.
The delivery process is the same as GrabFood but instead of delivering food from restaurant, everyday goods from stores can be delivered to the doorstep.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative is aimed at enhancing digitalisation for business transactions among traders as well as encouraging people to adapt to digital platforms.
“The state government will be allocating RM30,000 (fund) to be used for the promotional code (promo code) in order to attract people to use the app (Grabmart).
“Our target group will be the civil servants from state, federal agencies and also the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) staff working at Komtar. They will be entitled to a one-time RM5 discount.
“They can start using the promo starting from July 7 till July 30 or until the fund is still available,” said Chow, adding that there are some 6,000 civil servants working in Komtar.
Apart from that, Chow said the state government would keep empowering the community through its economy digitalisation initiatives.
“The state government will be coming up with various digitalisation related programmes as well as expanding cashless transaction initiatives to all the public markets in the state,” said Chow.
Meanwhile, the Northern & East Coast of Grab Malaysia senior regional manager Teoh Tsin Yok said Batu Lancang and Bayan Baru wet markets would be joining the programme (‘Grabmart’) as well.
“We support the state’s aim to
accelerate digital transformation in Penang to drive further opportunities especially for local
traditional independent businesses, as they adapt to this new normal.
“Customers will be able to purchase fresh produce, poultry, seafood and meat from the Grab app, pay directly using their GrabPay e-wallet, and have them delivered right to their
doorstep,” said Teoh.
He added that as of now there are four participating vendors and expressed hopes that more would be joining the programme.
“Earlier in March, during the movement control order (MCO) we had launched our very first Grabmart service at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) public market in Kuala Lumpur.
“Then it expanded to six additional cities as more traditional vendors got onto the Grab platform to accelerate the digitalisation of their businesses.
“Since then our market vendors have grown by three times, with one of them receiving more
than 40 orders in just 15 minutes.
“This is a testament that both our consumers and market vendors are beginning to see the benefit and convenience of this service to their daily lives and income respectively,” said Teoh while hoping to see a similar success in Penang.
Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said a total of five public markets on the mainland have been identified for the ‘Grabmart’ programme, namely Bagan Ajam, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam, Bandar Tasek Mutiara dan Perkampungan Baru Juru markets.
Also present were state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting