Thai business operators should amp up their operational strategies to stay ahead of their competitors, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized yesterday. Reflecting on the significant advancements made by Chinese e-commerce giants like JD.com, TikTok (Douyin), TaoBao, and Meituan, particularly through the introduction of same-day delivery services in selected areas, he underscored the continuous need for upgrading business methodologies.
His remarks followed a comprehensive report delivered by Oranuch Wannapinyo, director of the Department of International Trade Promotion’s (DITP) office in Guangzhou, which underscored the soaring popularity of same-day delivery services among Chinese consumers. As highlighted in the report, instant delivery has now become the go-to option for a majority of users on Chinese e-commerce platforms—with a staggering 64% of customers opting for this speedy service whenever available.
The DITP report further elaborated on the drastic behavioral shifts prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that an overwhelming 75% of consumers now express a clear preference for same-day order delivery. In response to this trend, Chinese platforms have proactively introduced a variety of expedited delivery options to cater to their customers’ needs.
For instance, Alibaba recently rolled out its instant delivery service on its popular e-commerce app, TaoBao, along with the courier service Ele.me. Meanwhile, JD.com has taken customer satisfaction to new heights with their impressive nine-minute delivery guarantee through JD Instant Delivery. Not to be left behind, Douyin—the Chinese counterpart of TikTok—has jumped onto the fast-delivery bandwagon, with numerous shops, including the tech giant Xiaomi Home, joining the initiative.
Minister Phumtham advised Thai business operators to keenly study and emulate the successful strategies employed by these Chinese platforms. He believes this approach could significantly benefit small- and medium-sized businesses in Thailand, helping them stay competitive in an increasingly cutthroat market. Recognizing and adapting to these trends will not only enhance customer satisfaction but also bolster the overall growth of the Thai business sector.
Same-day delivery in Thailand sounds great, but do we even have the infrastructure for it?
Infrastructure might be a problem now, but isn’t that why we should invest and improve?
Sure, but it’s easier said than done. Who’s going to fund all this?
Isn’t it the government’s responsibility to facilitate this kind of growth?
Government alone can’t do everything. Private sector needs to step up too.
This puts a lot of pressure on small businesses. Do they even have the resources to compete here?
Exactly, the big companies can afford it, but small businesses can’t!
Maybe there could be a shared delivery platform that small businesses can use?
Phumtham’s idea is good in theory, but will it really work in practice?
Good point. We need pilots and data before going all in.
Exactly, everyone’s just talking about it but no one’s showing actual plans.
Thai businesses should focus on improving product quality first.
Why do we always have to copy China? Can’t we come up with our own strategies?
Same-day delivery just adds unnecessary stress to workers.
True, many delivery drivers are already overworked as it is.
But isn’t convenience the whole point of e-commerce?
This will ruin smaller cities. They don’t have the workforce or logistics.
Nine-minute delivery? That’s insane! How do they even achieve that?
Advanced tech and concentrated warehouses, maybe?
Also, likely a lot of worker exploitation.
Sounds like a plan, but it’s the execution that matters.
Thailand’s traffic alone makes same-day delivery unrealistic.
Why not focus on efficient next-day delivery instead? It’s more feasible.
Agree. A step-by-step approach makes more sense.
This is an urgent wake-up call for Thai businesses. Adapt or die.
Harsh but true. The market is evolving rapidly.
Easier said than done. They need support and resources.
That’s where the government and private sector partnerships come in.
Absolutely, collaborative efforts are the way forward.
Are customers even going to pay extra for this service though?
Depends on the product. Probably yes for high-urgency items.
True, but most people would rather wait to save money.
What about the environmental impact of super-fast deliveries?
It might actually cut emissions by reducing multiple small trips to stores.
That’s just a small part of the overall impact, though.
This is just a gimmick to boost short-term sales.
Innovative, but will rural areas ever see this kind of service?
Probably not. Urban areas will get priority.