Alibaba-linked Daraz.lk opens 10 new hubs, warehouse

E-commerce giant Alibaba-linked Daraz.lk is opening 10 new hubs and a modern warehouse as part of its expansion. 

It said Sri Lanka has witnessed an exponential growth in the e-commerce arena over the past few years with a mass acceptance garnered for the concept of buying online.

Daraz started operations in Sri Lanka in 2016, and has since become a frontrunner in the e-commerce industry in the country.  Daraz’s specialty is its large variety of products offered through successful partnerships with major local brands. Daraz currently hosts a wide assortment ranging from consumer electronics, fashion and beauty products, alongside a rapidly growing miscellany of general merchandise.

Daraz will now be expanding their reach within the country and building further convenience for their clientele by opening ten new hubs spread across the main regions of the nation.   

With three hubs already in operation in Kandy, Panadura and Gampaha, Daraz will open two new hubs in May in the towns of Chilaw and Kurunegala, followed by Galle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna and Ratnapura during the months of June and July.

These strategically placed hubs will play a pivotal part in Daraz’s plans to ensure an enhanced, complete shopping experience for all Daraz customers. 

The opening of these hubs is also a “first” of an e-commerce platform launching such an initiative in Sri Lanka. 

By the end of June, Daraz also has ambitious plans to move to a new warehouse that boasts a massive 12,000 square foot area, and will be located in Colombo 14.This will enable Daraz to do next-day delivery in Colombo on fast-moving products.

The setting up of this hub will be utilised to “bring Pettah online”, as well as help bring buyers and sellers together. This will make it possible for consumers from every corner of the island to access genuine products available in Pettah at the best prices.

By scaling up and investing in infrastructure, Daraz will now be well-positioned to increase their speed of delivery and provide a superior experience to customers.

Commenting on the development, Daraz Sri Lanka Head of Operations Darshika Attanayake said: “At Daraz, we have been consistently investing in our infrastructure and delivery network to provide a superior experience to both customers and sellers. With the addition of this expanded infrastructure, we will be able to offer an even better experience to our customers. With the new warehouse and 7 new hubs, our fulfillment network will now enable hundreds of small and medium businesses to fulfill their orders in a cost-efficient manner, and reduce the delivery times by half.”

Each of these strategic moves showcase that Daraz is clearly set to make waves in the e-commerce industry in the country by offering not just a solution of optimal convenience, but also effecting disruptive change in the country’s retail market.

Launched in 2016, Daraz.lk aims at building the most customer-centric online destination for customers to find and discover virtually anything they want to buy online by giving them more of what they want – a vast selection, best prices, fast and reliable delivery, and a trusted and convenient experience with a world-class e-commerce platform.  Daraz is owned by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.