MerryMart begins MBOX “smart locker” rollout with installation in DoubleDragon Plaza

The MBOX Smart Locker concept was revealed by Injap Sia, owner of MerryMart [MM 3.71 2.62%] and co-owner of DoubleDragon [DD 10.20 0.97%], back in April of this year, with the intent to install 100 MBOX Smart Lockers in Metro Manila (with no timeframe given), and up to 5,000 MBOX Smart Lockers by 2030.

This installation, in DoubleDragon Plaza in Pasay, is the company’s first real-world demonstration of how it plans to integrate the technology into its business ecosystem. Interestingly, MM is developing the idea of the MBOX Community Hub, which is meant to pair an MBOX Smart Locker installation with an ATM machine, to allow customers to pick up packages and get cash “24/7”.

MM’s goal is to install these MBOX Community Hubs in provincial town centers, presumably in and around other Injap Sia properties like MerryMart convenience stores or grocery stores located in DoubleDragon townships.

MM said that the next MBOX Community Hubs are scheduled for installation next month in Iloilo, Roxas, Kalibo, Bacolod, and Dumaguete.

MB BOTTOM-LINE

Anyone that has tried to schedule product deliveries in Metro Manila knows very well how hard it is to secure that last-mile delivery, so on the surface, it seems like MBOX could be something that would appeal to buyers and sellers in the Philippine market.

No dealing with tricky barangay roads, gated communities, or confused building staff. No having to schedule someone to be at home between like 9am and 2pm to receive an important delivery.

The appeal is certainly there, but whether or not the average person finds it attractive as a tool for buying or selling kind of remains to be seen.

MM’s obvious bet here is that these lockers will be busy, and that they’ll be frequented by people with money to spend (those that have the disposable income to buy products that need to be shipped), and that those people will need to pass through or by MM locations or other DD-related businesses in and around the MBOX Smart Locker installations.

It’s a great plan on paper (as are most of Injap’s plans), but I’m very curious to see how it all works out in meatspace. 

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