Pandamart at 5: How Foodpanda built Bangladesh’s fastest grocery network

Pandamart, foodpanda's q-commerce grocery service, now offers over 7,000 products from top global brands like Unilever, Nestlé, along with trusted local names – from fresh produce and meat to daily essentials – on a fast and reliable platform, said foodpanda's Co-founder and Managing Director, Ambareen Reza, in an interview with The Business Standard's Abbas Uddin Noyon. She reflected on the platform's rapid growth, shifting consumer habits, and the future of quick commerce in Bangladesh.

How has the journey been so far, and how has the platform evolved over the past five years?

Pandamart began as a response to urgent needs during the early days of the pandemic, when people required safe access to groceries, medicines, and daily essentials. We first launched foodpanda shops in partnership with local retailers and superstores, providing a lifeline for customers staying home and small businesses navigating unprecedented challenges.

As demand grew, we launched Pandamart—our own network of dark stores, fully operated by foodpanda. This allowed us to streamline operations, manage inventory, ensure product integrity, and fulfill orders within an hour. By working directly with manufacturers, we strengthened quality assurance and minimised the risk of counterfeit products.

Today, Pandamart offers over 7,000 products from leading multinational brands like Unilever, Nestlé, and RB, alongside trusted local companies, covering everything from fresh produce and meat to daily essentials and mother-and-baby care. Our private-label offerings add further value, delivering quality at competitive prices.

What sets Pandamart apart is not just speed but precision, affordability, and breadth of choice. It's a grocery store in your pocket, offering curated assortments and everyday convenience at scale.

Looking ahead, we aim to expand our assortment, deepen partnerships with local suppliers, and pilot innovations like green delivery.

From your perspective, what are the key trends currently shaping quick commerce in Bangladesh?

Quick commerce in Bangladesh is being driven by three powerful trends: speed, affordability, and personalisation. Customers now expect their essentials delivered in minutes, rather than hours or days, and this expectation is rapidly becoming the norm.

However, it's not just about speed. There is growing demand for fair pricing, locally sourced products, and experiences tailored to individual lifestyles. Increasingly, families are relying on quick commerce for weekly groceries, not merely last-minute top-ups. This is prompting us to expand our assortment to match supermarket ranges, offer bundle deals, and introduce private-label products that balance quality with value.

At the same time, data allows us to personalise the experience—whether recommending baby care products to new parents or highlighting flash sales based on shopping habits.

Ultimately, quick commerce is no longer merely a convenience; it is becoming an integral part of how Bangladesh shops.

Pandamart is now a favourite for busy urban households, but the early days must have been challenging. What were the main obstacles, and how did you tackle them?

Absolutely. In the beginning, ensuring both availability and quality was a major challenge. Customers expect speed and consistency, and we had to work diligently to deliver on that. We introduced centralised delivery systems and implemented continuous stock monitoring to improve reliability.

For quality, dedicated teams at our warehouses and distribution centres oversaw every step of the process. This hands-on approach helped us build trust and create a seamless experience that keeps customers returning.

Customer habits are evolving rapidly. How do these shifts influence the way you shape and adapt your strategy?

We listen closely. From midnight snackers to busy parents, our data gives us a clear picture of what people are buying, when, and why. This insight helps us make smarter decisions—whether it's stocking the right products, adjusting prices, or improving delivery times.

While non-perishable items have seen strong traction, the real excitement lies in the growing demand for fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Customers value both quality and affordability, and our focus on accessibility has made this possible.

Our strategy evolves accordingly: expanding our assortment, deepening local reach, and offering better deals. Ultimately, it's about staying ahead of the curve—using data to anticipate needs and building trust through consistency and convenience.

Many assume online shopping is pricier, yet Pandamart offers better value. How do you make it more affordable than physical stores?

Affordability at Pandamart isn't just about discounts—it's embedded in our model. By operating our own dark stores, we control sourcing, inventory, and logistics end-to-end, enabling us to optimise costs and pass the savings directly to customers. This is further enhanced by dynamic pricing, bundle deals, and exclusive offers through close collaboration with suppliers and payment partners.

Our subscription service, Pandapro, provides unlimited free delivery on eligible orders, additional discounts, and early access to campaigns, making everyday shopping even more rewarding. Seasonal promotions during Eid feature curated deals across key categories. This October, in celebration of Pandamart's fifth anniversary, we are running a nationwide campaign emphasising affordability, variety, and customer appreciation.

Highlights include daily flash sales, Tk150 off with the code DEALNAO, and limited-edition anniversary gift boxes for customers meeting the minimum order value, distributed daily on a first-come, first-served basis to reward loyal shoppers.

We've already seen food delivery evolve tremendously. What innovations do you anticipate will drive the next major leap forward?

Hyperlocal assortments and predictive restocking are transforming the way we serve our customers, making operations faster, smarter, and more cost-effective. It's no longer just about speed; it's about convenience through choice.

We're bringing a wide range of essentials under one roof—from pantry staples and baby care to electronics—so customers can accomplish more in fewer clicks. That's the future we are working to create.

Thank you, Ambareen, and best wishes for Pandamart's journey ahead. Before we wrap-up, I'm curious to know: what is the most frequently ordered item on Pandamart?

Eggs! Simple, versatile, and always in demand, they are the quiet heroes of our order list.