The Business Times
SUBSCRIBERS

Grab's super app goal calls for good grasp of holding on to users

Success of WeChat, Alipay have unique qualities that may not be easy to replicate

Claudia Chong
Published Sun, May 5, 2019 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

ONCE a simple ride-hailing startup, Grab today is a dominant unicorn that wants to be no less than the operator of a "super app". But to succeed in its goal, the company may need to figure out how to increase the stickiness of its budding marketplace, industry watchers say.

Almost a year has passed since Grab declared its goal to be South-east Asia's "everyday super app". Since then, the company has introduced more offerings such as food delivery and finance to its product, hoping to give users more reasons to open up its app. The latest expansion came in April, when Grab said it would introduce four new services in Singapore by June - hotel bookings, video streaming, ticket purchasing, and integrated transport planning.

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to  t.me/BizTimes

Startups

SUPPORT SOUTH-EAST ASIA'S LEADING FINANCIAL DAILY

Get the latest coverage and full access to all BT premium content.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Browse corporate subscription here