Grab Launches Singapore’s First Merchant Centre and Unveils 2023 Food and Grocery Trends

In a significant move towards enhancing its support for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the digital landscape, Grab has officially inaugurated its first physical merchant centre in Singapore. Situated at Grab’s one-north headquarters, this unique facility stands as the first-of-its-kind among industry players in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The launch coincided with the release of Grab’s third annual Singapore Food and Grocery Trends Report, shedding light on evolving consumer behaviors in the digital age.

Evolution of the Grab Merchant Centre

Initially serving as a merchant registration counter during the pandemic in April 2020, the Grab Merchant Centre has evolved into a comprehensive hub offering advisory services and solutions for SMBs. The center has already positively impacted close to 600 unique brands through tailored services:

“Ready, Set, Grab” for New Merchants: An all-in-one starter kit providing essential tools for newcomers to enhance store visibility and establish a robust presence on Grab.

1:1 Business Reviews for Existing Merchants: A data-driven consultation service staffed with trained account managers, aiding merchants in identifying areas for improvement based on sales histories and industry trends. Account managers also assist in devising growth plans aligned with individual goals.

Merchant Concierge Service: A subscription-based hotline addressing operational challenges by offering on-demand assistance. This includes help with updating store menus, setting up promotions, understanding GrabAds campaign performance, and troubleshooting device issues.

Learning and Growth Opportunities: Regular events designed for SMBs to network, upskill, learn about Grab’s products and services, and actively contribute to Grab’s product development through focus group discussions and user testing.

SMBs Tapping into New Trends

As consumers increasingly turn digital, Grab’s 2023 Food and Grocery Trends Report highlights key insights for SMBs to capitalize on:

Shift from Search Engines to Platforms: 43% of surveyed Singapore consumers use food delivery apps to discover new restaurants and stores, surpassing Google (38%) and Facebook (34%). Notably, 84% of consumers have used the Grab app for such discoveries.

Digital Services Influence Dine-out Choices: Over 90% of consumers choose dining destinations by reading online reviews, with nearly half pre-purchasing vouchers online. Additionally, 80% place digital orders at restaurant tables.

Blurring Lines between Online and Offline: Dine-in transactions and self-pickup orders contributed significantly to Grab’s total order volume, emphasizing the digital transformation in consumers’ food journeys.

Subscription Models Drive Spending: GrabUnlimited subscribers spend 2.6 times more per month and order with higher frequency. Merchants can tap into this consumer segment through GrabUnlimited Campaigns.

Office Workers Prefer Group Orders: Group Orders on Grab increased 1.7 times in the first half of 2023, especially during lunch hours and workplace deliveries. Merchants can leverage this trend by offering bundled deals during peak times.

Grab’s 2023 Food and Grocery Trend report combines survey insights from Southeast Asian food and grocery delivery users with data insights from Grab’s platform, providing valuable perspectives for SMBs navigating the digital landscape.