Mobile-based online marketplace Domo is searching for more drivers as its daily deliveries nearly double to 100 as demand surges for food takeaway during the COVID-19 outbreak.
CEO of DXM Sdn Bhd, who launched Domo in the second quarter of 2019, said their platform engagement has reached an all-time high of over 14,000 application downloads with 9,000 active users – 1,500 who are using the app daily.
“We have 10 to 15 drivers at present but are searching for more. There is no registration fee – to join, drivers must have a valid class three license and use their own car and fuel. Their payment (salary) is keeping the full delivery fee for each order they make,” said Darryn Liew.
Domo charges customers a $5 delivery fee for orders in Brunei-Muara, $6 to Tutong and $8 to Belait. Orders between vendors and customers from the same district are $5.
Drivers are to use hand sanitizers, face masks and hand gloves provided by Domo while picking up and delivering orders as part of the company’s new health and safety measures instituted during the outbreak.
Customers can also request their orders to be left at a designated point, ensuring contactless delivery. Orders typically take 45 minutes to arrive and payment is done exclusively through credit and debit cards keyed in on the application.
Brunei recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 7 and has banned dining in at all food premises since March 19 until further notice, although takeaways are still allowed.
According to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no evidence or recorded cases of COVID-19 being transmitted through food, with the respiratory illness largely transmitted through close contact.
Domo currently has over 200 vendors, close to 40 who are serving cooked food. Liew said that while cooked food is the most ordered item, more essential items are being added including groceries – and specific to the current climate – personal hygiene items.
“Being an open platform that offers customer convenience while also helping small businesses means that we are continuously trying to add more offerings/vendors to the platform,” said Liew.
Domo charges vendors a 5.9% commission fee plus 50 cents on every customer purchase. There are no onboarding, registration or listing fees.
