New e-commerce organizations are developing every day in Pakistan in light of the ongoing online industry boom in the country. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) states that of the 31 million plus internet users in Pakistan, as of December 2014, above 15 million browse internet on the go via handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets. The global B2C sales have already reached 1.5 Trillion USD by the end of year 2014 resulting in a 20.1% increase in sales as compared to 2013.
Grocery is a major part of the household income; studies suggest that approximately 50% of the household income is spent on food and household groceries. This evidently shows immense potential and thus has given rise to the online grocery segment in Pakistan. The industry has faced a set back with launch of few & then dissolution, due to lack of proper strategy but in the year 2015 a number of platforms have entered the Pakistani market and are investing heavily in this industry.
Recently, Premier Agencies, a giant in the sales and distribution industry has launched a business to consumer e-commerce portal featuring more than 700 products ranging from dairy to personal care products. The portal is known as QuicknEasy (QnE), a simple yet unique name. When asked about the story behind the name, the CEO, Osama Qassim, responded “I feel that the name of a business must specifically communicate what the business has to offer. Looking at the misery of the people at the grocery stores getting pushed around and having to stand in long queues before checking out, I always felt that there has to be a simpler way of buying grocery. Our business model offers the simplest solution to the most troublesome part of one’s life by delivering groceries at the doorstep within 24 hours.” The name QnE clearly strikes the purpose of its existence which is to simplify lives.
Customers in today’s day and age look for convenience, better prices and a good product range. The cost of online operations is naturally less compared to the bricks and mortar stores due to fewer overheads and rental expenses. The QnE team is confident that it will have to offer amazing discount deals that no retail store is able to offer. The QnE team is also working day and night to increase the product range and will soon have to offer more than 2500 products to the residents of Karachi. QnE has a policy of on time deliveries and in order to build trust among the customers, and provide them with a seamless shopping experience, they have chosen not to rely on delivery service providers. The CEO firmly believes that having control over the last mile is necessary when handling groceries. Moreover, he feels that it is the only touch point with the customer and a bad customer experience is not an option. The extensive experience of more than 40 years that Premier Agencies has in the business of logistics, fleet management and hiring of riders is another reason why QnE will undoubtedly be able to offer the best service in the country.
Starting with Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan, which is also where Premier Agencies started its operations in the year 1971, QnE aims to expand the online community and become the nation’s most favorite ecommerce platform. Currently, their areas of operation include Defence, Clifton, North Nazimabad, Pechs, Society Zone and Gulshan.
