Online sellers and other micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have become an integral part of the country’ s economy, thus, the need to empower them to further grow their businesses.
With this in mind, the country’s major courier, cargo and logistics and remittance provider, the LBC Express, has developed a platform that will not only address the logistics issue, but also the financial aspect of MSMEs.
Oliver Valentin, senior vice president of LBC Express, at a news briefing on June 27, noted that e-commerce is growing in the Philippines, thanks to social media. However, he said, MSMEs are facing challenges in their logistical needs in the delivery of their products.
“LBC wants to promote entrepreneurship. We are providing an end-to-end platform that will serve the needs of the market,” Valentin said.
MSMEs, however, will have to sign up with LBC to be able to avail of their numerous services.
For customers with door-to-door delivery requirements, LBC has the cash-on-delivery service. “LBC’s wide service network guarantees that your customer’s order will be delivered straight to their address.”
LBC also has the returns and refunds that enables customers to have an easier time to request for item refunds at any LBC branch. LBC will refund the payment and also send back the item to the seller. Valentin said the cash on pick-up, meanwhile, is an alternative for meet-ups. Under the format, LBC branches will be the “drop-off” and “pickup” points of the client’s online transaction.
To facilitate the payment of buyers to the businesses, LBC has the PayCollect that uses LBC branches as the payment center of the buyers.
Javier Mantecon, chief marketing officer of LBC Express, said the company is going to build more logistics facilities within the next few years to accommodate the anticipated increase in demand for such services. “The expansion is in the pipeline to build more warehouses.”
“Logistics is one of the problems faced by e-commerce today. LBC is in the opportunity to showcase its strength in logistics, but also customizing solutions that meet the needs of small to medium enterprises,” he added. Mantecon noted that as the MSME segment grows, micro and medium entrepreneurs will need more facilities to pursue growth.
LBC Express, he said, will capitalize on the opportunity to showcase its strength in logistics and also customizing solutions that meet the needs of small to medium enterprises. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, more than 95 percent of registered businesses belong to the SME category.