The response has been continuously positive as restaurant operators flock to order ingredients and equipment at wholesale prices through the online wholesale marketplace application “maknet”, which helps save time, leading to over 40,000 downloads. It is expected to reach 150,000 downloads by the end of the year.

Mr. Thirayu Songwejkasem, Vice President of Digital Business at Siam Makro Group, revealed that the wholesale and retail business is rapidly entering the digital era, as evidenced by customer behavior seeking an all-in-one online platform. This has made maknet, an online wholesale platform for operators, meet this demand effectively. Since its launch in April, it has received a very positive response from operators.

“We have observed a clear shift in customer behavior towards online channels. Customers prefer using straightforward online marketplace applications, primarily restaurant operators and the Horeca sector, especially Thai restaurants, noodle shops, and coffee shops, which have significantly utilized the service. This aligns with the recovery trend in the tourism sector, as they seek to order ingredients and equipment for their businesses at wholesale prices that are ‘most cost-effective’ amid rising costs. Thus, maknet has emerged as a solution, resulting in over 40,000 downloads within just two months of its launch, with expectations to increase to 150,000 by the end of this year,” he stated.

The most popular products ordered by operators include ingredients and equipment for restaurants, such as fresh food, frozen food, dry food, eggs, oil, seasonings, dairy products, and creamers.

On the side of manufacturers or sellers interested in listing their products and services on the maknet online marketplace, the number is also continuously increasing. Currently, there are over 50,000 items available, including SMEs and new producers who have never sold products at Makro before but are interested in selling through this opportunity platform. More than 1,000 items include packaging for take-away and delivery food and beverages, kitchen equipment, dry food, syrups, and coffee beans.

maknet has been operating according to its planned strategy, focusing on customer experience and easy access to the application. In terms of products, it aims to increase the variety and completeness to 100,000 items by the end of 2022, while continuously expanding service areas to cover Bangkok and its vicinity by the end of this year and extending to major provinces within 2023-2024.

“We hope that maknet will provide restaurant operators with the opportunity to navigate their businesses through the crisis of high prices and intense competition. For Makro, this application is part of our strategy to respond to digital-era customers and to expand our business beyond traditional wholesale and retail to create significant growth for the Makro business group in the future,” Mr. Thirayu concluded.