As Ramiz wrote today, 'logistics might very well be the Achilles Heel of the e-commerce sector of Bangladesh' and it is. There are other problems as well. Although, we have seen a big boom in ecommerce sector in recent years, infrastructure remains an unresolved problem, internet penetration is growing fast but it will take few more years to become huge in size, and culture remains an obstacle. However, there is no easy fix to these problems, as Fahim Mashroor of BDjobs said, “there is no way we can push and fix things overnight, it has to grow organically.” When this is true for many problems faced by ecommerce sector but for logistics it is far from the truth. We just need better logistics services for our ecommerce to grow. We have already a growing ecommerce sector and there are startups doing very well in this space but the state of logistics remains dismal over the last couple of years. However, the good news is that there are new startups entering the market with the promise of revolutionizing the logistics system for ecommerce in Bangladesh.
Ecommerce usually requires a different type of logistics support which regular courier services are unable to offer. These new breed of logistics startups understand the need of ecommerce and trying hard to design and deliver a system that makes ecommerce a pleasing experience for users.
Bangladesh's startup ecosystem is growing fast. Local and international investors are showing interest in our local startups. This will be increasingly be so over the next few years. As ecommerce grows, logistics will grow along with it.
These startups are at their very early stage and it will take time to predict the fate of any of these startups but these startups show promise today. Logistics, as a space, is poised to grow over the next couple of years, if these startups still surviving and growing, they will be the candidates looking for huge success. Here is a list of 3 logistics startups, in no particular order, trying to disrupt the logistics space.
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eCourier
eCourier.com.bd is the first of its kind in this space. Founded by Biplob G. Rahul, it is a bicycle based courier service that claims itself as the first eco-friendly courier service in Bangladesh. While bicycle gives the tag of eco-friendliness, it also helps to deliver fast given the fact that Dhaka is famous for traffic jam.
At the beginning, eCourier only focused in ecommerce delivery. However, recently it started to deliver tickets and foods as well. The startup also expanded its operation in Chittagong recently. eCourier offers online tracking system which enables customers to track their products via using eCourier app, website or via text messaging during transferring. It also claims that it offers same day delivery.
In recent time, the startup has seen a tremendous growth and also raised an undisclosed amount from a local investor.
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Pathao
Launched as beta in September this year, Pathao started as a regular delivery service. It offered regular package, gift, documents delivery services for households and individuals. The startup embraced mobile first approach from the start and lunched a mobile app. After two months, the startup is now aiming at ecommerce delivery.
In terms of experience, we have found Pathao app to be smooth and fast but we are yet to experience the delivery! The startup also promises same day delivery of packages within the Dhaka city and also offers tracking option and ensures verified delivery people for security. Originally came out of HackHouse and co-founded by Hussain M. Elius, Pathao promises to provide world class logistic service in Dhaka and aims to expand nationally over the time.
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Joldi Logistics
Launched few months ago, Joldi is a Dhaka City based on demand delivery service. It too uses bicycle messengers to deliver goods within the Dhaka city. Founded by Fahad Ibna Wahab, Joldi also provides same day delivery and claims to operate with highly trained delivery agents. The startup plans to expand in all metro cities by this year.
Joldi Founder Fahad Ibna Wahab previously founded Rapidmail which later on was rebranded as SmileX but the company closed the door without notice or morphed into Joldi Logistics now.
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Reality Check
Delivery remains a huge pain for ecommerce in Bangladesh, both for ecommerce owners and users. Many ecommerce startup founders we talked to in recent times, complained about their experience with logistics. Although, most of the logistics companies promise to ensure same day delivery it seldom happens, even within the city, and tracking, bill payment and many other problems exist in this space. Fixing logistics is important to ensure healthy growth of our ecommerce sector, at the same time, in a market where ecommerce grows fast, logistics is where money goes. This means a huge opportunity for logistics companies as well. However, it all depends on one’s action.
[su_note note_color="#ffffff" text_color="#363232" radius="0"]Note: This story is part of our Inside Ecommerce Industry series and made possible by the generous support of our partners Payza Bangladesh, Ajkerdeal.com, and Ghoori.com.bd. [/su_note]
