Singapore’s transport firm ComfortDelGro’s ride-hailing service is now available for booking via the Lazada app. The new booking service is placed alongside Lazada’s hallmark features like LazMall, RedMart and LazLive.
The e-commerce giant routinely had various partnerships with ComfortDelGro. For example, it offered S$ 5 off to users who booked ComfortDelGro taxis via the Lazada app last August and November.
Furthermore, amid the COVID-19 outbreak last year, a collaboration saw ComfortDelGro’s taxi drivers helping to deliver RedMart groceries as Singapore saw a rise in demand for delivery services.
This January, ComfortDelGro added 25 private-hire cars to its fleet as part of a trial scheme to rival ride-hailing services like Gojek and Grab.
It also made its first foray into the lifestyle scene with the launch of a new app offering last month. Called Zig, it allows users to book a taxi, plan their journey, make dining or hotel reservations, place click-to-collect orders at food and beverage outlets, find deals, and buy tickets for attractions and entertainment outlets.
Could Lazada Be The Next Super App?
Lazada seems poised to be the new Southeast Asian super app.
A super app is a platform developed by a company offering various services under one umbrella. For example, ride-hailing giant Grab has developed a suite of services for the region’s everyday needs, from food to grocery delivery, and even payments and financial services.
Founded in 2012, Lazada has served over 80 million annual active buyers on its platform between August 2019 and July 2020. It is also is one of the region’s 10 unicorn startups valued at over US$ 1 billion (S$ 1.37 billion).
Alibaba-backed Lazada acquired Singapore-based RedMart back in 2016, which led to the migration of the online grocer onto the Lazada platform. It also added a flight-booking feature to its offerings for users in Singapore and the Philippines last year, as well as launched a credit card with Citi.
Currently, it is operational in six countries across the region — Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
It has also found new opportunities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. LazMall, Lazada’s virtual shopping mall, brought in a large selection of curated brands, helping retailers to reach a greater number of consumers.
This year, it also launched its first mega online-to-offline (O2O) retail shopping experience. Called Come Home To Lazada, it showcases a complementary way for shoppers to engage on both platforms.
Like Shopee and Grab, it could likely begin to implement its own e-payment systems, especially since it has already partnered with Citi. With its collaboration with ComfortDelGro, it could also start offering micro-insurance packages for rides.
Lazada is growing steadily, and seems to be venturing into the super app space, especially with its introduction of ComfortDelGro’s ride-hailing services onto its platform.
Featured Image Credit: Campaign Asia / Eco-Business
