Singaporeans love to queue.
As much as I would like to deny any participation in such a time-wasting endeavour, I must admit that I have from time-to-time joined the fray, especially when it came to food.
But COVID-19 changed all that.
With safe distancing touted as the new norm in the foreseeable future, stringent measures prohibiting on-location dining has left many F&B operators with only delivery or takeaway to continue their operations.
Plus joining snaking lines for a meal or treat during a pandemic might probably not be the wisest thing to do.
That’s where Marketplace@WhyQ comes in.
A new pilot programme initiated by Fairprice Group in collaboration with WhyQ, Marketplace@WhyQ is purpose-built for smaller local food establishments.
Why smaller food establishments you say? That is because unlike most delivery platforms, vendors on Marketplace@WhyQ are not required to pay any commission or set-up fee. Instead, customers will pay a 6 per cent mark-up food prices to offset the payment gateway and server costs of the platform.
What’s more, vendors have the flexibility of choosing their delivery options – they may either tap on WhyQ’s delivery option or opt for self-delivery.
To date, close to 100 stallholders ranging from food courts, coffee shops, hawkers to restaurants have registered for the onboarding.
FairPrice Group CEO Seah Kian Peng said: “Many F&B businesses have been badly affected during this challenging Covid-19 period as they can only turn to deliveries and takeaways to continue operations, thereby accelerating the pace of digital transformation within the industry.
“We are glad to announce this partnership with WhyQ, where FairPrice Group acts as an enabler for local food businesses who wish to ride the digital wave and adopt digital solutions to access new revenue streams.”
Vendors on Marketplace@WhyQ
“Unlike other food delivery platforms, Marketplace@WhyQ does not take any allowance or commission from vendors … With zero commission on Marketplace@WhyQ, we will explore passing on some of these savings to benefit customers, such as providing additional sides, or other complimentary ingredients for their orders.”
- Jason Chua Rong Yang, Co-owner, Beng Who Cooks, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
“We operate out of Lau Pa Sat and business has been impacted. There are no tourists and offices in CBD areas are shut. We are onboard delivery platforms as of now, but they only contribute to just 10 to 15 per cent of our usual business volume. Joining Marketplace@WhyQ gives us additional online presence so that more customers can find us.”
- Wilson Lim, Head of Self-run Concepts (SRC), Shi Hui Yuan Pte Ltd [Shi Hui Yuan, The Original Singapore Hor Fun, Lau Pa Sat]
FairPrice Group and WhyQ will announce more details on Marketplace@WhyQ later.
You can visit https://marketplace.whyq.sg or download the WhyQ app on iOS and Android app store and select “Marketplace@WhyQ” in the WhyQ app.
Interested food vendors may visit https://marketplace.whyq.sg/vendor for more information.