Dubai: The price comparison trend via apps has hit grocery shopping as well.
Groon — which plans to bring online about 6,000 grocery outlets into its app fold this year — offers a feature where users can order groceries online from stores in their neighbourhood.
A “cart-comparing” feature lists prices from the different stores.
“Cart comparison is similar to airlines’ ticket purchase option, whereby the customer will have the option to choose to order from more than one grocery at the time of “check out” based on the price and convenience,” said Sajida Yousuf, Co-founder of Groon, in a statement.
“While most grocery shopping apps cater to only one segment of customers, Groon will be available to varied customers across emirates. In addition, the big players are focusing only on large chain groceries, while Groon is the only platform which connects the single store and convenient stores.
“In total there about 13,000 small grocers in the country that are doing business of about $500 million annually in UAE. GCC-wide, this number could go up to $10 billion.” Around 100 grocery stores partnered Groon during the launch. Available as a web and a mobile version, there are around 4,000 different grocery items listed on the platform. “With over Dh1 million investments to date, we aim to attract angel investors and venture capital to take it to the next level,” Yousuf said. “We are also looking at expanding our portfolio to around 13,000 groceries with an organic expansion in the GCC. In addition, Groon will soon be an augmented purchasing reality based app that functions on the buying and product pattern.
“Hence, customers will not have to bother if there is no milk, eggs or bread at home. The app will be smart enough to keep track and send out the orders for groceries, and ensure timely deliveries.”
