We are navigating through a period marked by multiple challenges. The pandemic, followed by ongoing geopolitical tensions worldwide and the growing impact of climate change, is changing how we live.
While these issues have impacted the lives of many people, crisis preparedness has also strengthened. With each crisis, consumers are responding quicker and are more efficient in securing essential goods to tide them through with as little impact on their daily lives as possible.
Barriers to accessing food and groceries
As consumers prepare for a crisis, some are facing increased difficulties in accessing items like food and groceries due to physical barriers and psychological stress.
Long lines at supermarkets, limited product availability in stores, and transportation issues can make shopping a hassle. At times, consumers may find it hard to get everything they need and end up purchasing unnecessary items or stockpiling more than necessary.
Supermarkets may face temporary disruptions in their supply chains while adjusting to the spike in demand. We saw similar behaviour during the early days of the pandemic, with consumers buying large quantities of toilet paper, which briefly created shortages in stores worldwide.
Additionally, consumers may feel added pressure to prepare quickly, especially when faced with the uncertainty of crises. Recent events like fast-approaching natural disasters have shown that this behaviour tends to intensify during such times.
These challenges signal a growing need for a more efficient system — one that offers convenience, safety, and most importantly a peace of mind.
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Preparing for crisis in comfort
In Southeast Asia, mobile and internet connectivity has grown rapidly, making access to quick commerce platforms like foodpanda easier. With tech-enabled quick commerce, consumers can prepare for crises without having to leave their homes.
Quick commerce offers convenience, safety and speed. With just a few clicks, consumers can have food and groceries delivered to their doorsteps, avoiding the chaos of crowded stores and ensuring access to the products they need. Another key advantage is the speed of delivery — essential goods can be ordered and delivered within the hour, ensuring that consumers are well-prepared even when time is limited.
For example, during the recent pre-typhoon season in Taiwan, foodpanda shops saw a significant surge in order volumes — an increase of 45 per cent in daily orders — particularly for essential items as consumers prepared for the storm. Popular items ordered include: vegetables, dairy products, frozen food, canned products and instant meals.
As customers prepare to stay indoors for extended periods during the typhoon, convenient meals rose to one of the top items ordered on shops, indicating a shift towards items with longer shelf life and easy to prepare foods.
A similar trend was also observed in Bangladesh. During the riots in July, Bangladesh saw continued demand in quick commerce orders amidst curfews and internet shutdowns. However, contrary to Taiwan, Bangladesh actually saw an increased demand for fruits. In this case, consumers prioritised ordering perishable but essential items, which could be difficult to procure as people could not leave their houses.
Also Read: Why e-commerce startups will revolutionise the supply chain in Southeast Asia
Shaping the future of crisis preparedness in Asia
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. In the context of emergency food aid, this translates to ensuring access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all people, particularly during times of crisis such as natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies.
With Asia considered the world’s most disaster-affected region in 2023 and climate change exacerbating the frequency and severity of these events, consumers need to be well-prepared with a robust emergency preparedness plan. Quick commerce, which involves the instant delivery of essential goods and services, will be more important than ever as crises hit the region with shorter lead times.
In addition to improving rapid response in crisis situations, quick commerce will also help drive efficiency throughout the supply chain, from inventory management and order processing to last-mile delivery. It allows businesses to reach more customers in a shorter amount of time. In a crisis situation, where every minute matters, that is critical.
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