KENYA – E-commerce platform, Jumia has launched a new integrated warehouse and logistics network facility in Nairobi, Kenya, to enhance the consumers’ shopping experience by reducing delivery times and cutting costs.

The 11,000 metres facility will transform Jumia’s logistics operations by providing increased storage capacity for scale-up of warehouse operations and also provide converged services.

Located along Mombasa Road, the facility will ensure faster delivery of products with its proximity to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and easier access to the Central Business District (CBD) via the Nairobi Expressway.

“The new integrated facility has enabled us to converge our multiple warehouses and network operations under one roof,” said Jumia Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juan Seco.

“This will help us to improve our fulfillment operations to be more efficient and scalable thus taking care of our future needs as the business continues to grow.”

Jumia is also seeking to transform the Jumia Express operations through the new integrated facility.

Jumia Express is a service offered by the online shopping marketplace where sellers store their inventory in Jumia warehouses to ensure faster delivery which also entails next-day delivery for orders in Nairobi and its environs, no out-of-stock cancellations and the highest standards of quality storage.

The platform also intends to eliminate first-mile transportation between warehouses and sorting centres which will result in a reduction in carbon emission, a trend across various e-commerce platforms that seek to keep gas emissions from their logistics operations in check.

“The convergence of our operations has helped us to reduce up to 15 truck trips per day, enabling us to reduce carbon emissions significantly. We will continue to look for opportunities to contribute positively to the environment,” said Ankur Agarwal, Jumia Services Country Manager.

The integrated facility will also offer improved working conditions for staff including a better working space and a convenient location in terms of accessibility.

Text Book Centre partners UberEats Kenya

Meanwhile, Text Book Centre (TBC) and UberEats Kenya have inked a deal to allow book buyers to make orders through the app, joining a growing list of businesses that are using e-couriers to grow sales and expand market reach.

TBC hopes to use the UberEats platform to drive sales across its 11 branches in Kenya. The firm also has operations in Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Zanzibar and Tanzania.

In recent years, TBC has also diversified into selling computers, printers, scanners, photocopiers, paper shredders and other office equipment and supplies.

“This venture will help us widen our reach by offering an omni-channel sales approach and better customer experience through faster order fulfilment,” said Risper Oluga, TBC e-commerce manager.

The firm also runs its own online shopping platform on its website, which it hopes to link with the delivery service.

As part of its sustainability policy, the firm has embraced technology at a time e-books are gaining popularity.

UberEats Kenya said the partnership seeks to address the increasing demand for diversity of delivery services. The service provider that started operations in Kenya in 2018 exclusively uses motorbikes to deliver food orders.

Customers pay within the Uber Eats app by requesting a push notification from the rider.

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