CEO of PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAPI) give opening statement at Mapemall.com Grand Launching at the JW Marriot Mega Kuningan in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 18, 2016.
JAKARTA - PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAPI) believes they have an upper hand with its brick and motor inventory for entering online commerce with the grand launching of Mapemall.com.
CEO Virendra Prakash Sharma, told reporters that MAPI has a competitive advantage over other players because they hold the exclusive distribution rights to over 150 brands. Furthermore, they already have a complete inventory connected to its existing retail network spanning the Indonesian archipelago, while other players have to purchase their inventory and then figure logistics to its central warehouse.
He added, "Four to five percent of businesses are going online, but in Indonesia it's less than one percent," at JW Marriot Hotel in Mega Kuningan, Jakarta.
Going online and capturing the market was an initiative started over two years ago, when the company launched a low budgeted e-commerce platform for its retailer Planet Sports; MAPI used this as a learning step.
For Mapemall.com, the company even reached out to Alya Dimitri, a prominent figure in Indonesia's fashion world to design and provide content for their website.
Partnering strategically with Standard Charter for credit card services, Mitra Adiperkasa promises big investment for its e-commerce debut, however an exact value was not disclosed.
With over 60% of the websites traffic coming from handheld devices, a mobile application is said to revealed for IOS and Android in the April this year.
Management continues to add SKU items from its already extensive inventory including brands of fashion, sports, travel, home, beauty and children. (CH)