PopBox Smart Locker Service and Opportunities in the E-Commerce Logistics Sector

Innovation with today's technological interference is proven to be able to present better solutions for society. Just see how GoJek now a trend and how E-commerce changing the conventional shopping lifestyle of Indonesian people today. However, challenges are never absent. On the side E-commerce, Indonesia is still looking for the best solution for logistics and startups PopBox present to try to provide alternative solutions, as well as try to taste cakes from opportunities that have not been worked on maximum.

PopBox is a startup founded by Adrian Lim and Greta Bunawan who offer technology solutions platform automatic locker for E-commerce. PopBox can be said to be one of the pioneers in Indonesia that provides locker services for E-commerce besides NEX-WE which is the result cooperation between Blibli and NEX. In the global realm, similar services already exist, namely amazon-locker.

Basically, PopBox is a physical locker that can be the final place for sending packages from services E-commerce. The location where the PopBox locker is located, can be a location for pick-up, delivery, or self-return of goods.

The story behind the presence of PopBox service in Indonesia

In a way, Adrian's experience living in China for several years has inspired PopBox's presence in Indonesia. While in China, Adrian saw how E-commerce there grew up in its early days, how E-commerce created its own bottleneck in logistics, and how it has changed people's lifestyles. Adrian saw things that were not much different were also shown in Indonesia.

Adrian said, "We live in Jakarta and must believe that E-commerce is growing in Jakarta [as in China]. I've lived in China and seen how E-commerce create logistical problems. [...] E-commerce closely related to package delivery. So if you don't believe in logistics, you don't believe in [services]. e-commerce."

Segment E-commerce in Indonesia at this time it is still green, but it is excited and predicted in 2016 value could reach $25 billion. Adrian explained that as he grew market, then people will need more options to pick up, organize or get packages into their hands.

"From there [seeing the growth E-commerce in Indonesia] we thought why not try to present a package delivery endpoint service solution. Where we manifest in the form of a smart locker service, a service that we understand how it works and is adapted to the market and Indonesian habits," he said.

How PopBox works and manages its business in Indonesia

Basically, the idea of ​​the PopBox service is not new, both locally and internationally. However, Adrian is optimistic that his services can still grow in Indonesia. One of the reasons is how PopBox positions itself as an open service and anyone, be it a player E-commerce, delivery services, as well as individuals, can use PopBox.

"This is what makes us different. We open platform, anyone can use our service, be it a player E-commerce, delivery services, as well as individuals [...] we think our model will encourage even better use of the service. There will be more people using our services, because our services are open.[...] We are in a neutral position," said Adrian.

In the early days of its presence, PopBox's market focus was more on the B2B model where, according to Adrian and Greta, a number of online stores had collaborated, Bilna was one of them. In addition, PopBox has also collaborated with several shipping service companies.

For its own monetization, PopBox adopts a subscription system, where there are a number of fees that must be paid each time you use the PopBox service. However, Adrian stressed that this is not their main priority at this time, although it is recognized that money is also important. Adrian says:

"Money is important. But, that's not our top priority right now. We want to make sure the players first E-commerce can use our services properly. We are here to grow, build infrastructure, and shape ecosystems [E-commerce] together."

PopBox locker service itself is promised always online in 24 hours. The way it works is also very simple, namely when transactions between consumers and consumers are merchant has occurred, merchant will process the goods to be placed in the locker closest to the consumer. After that the consumer will receive a secret code, currently via sms or email, which is used to pick up the goods at the locker. In order to ensure security, apart from using a secret code, there is also CCTV in PopBox's locker to monitor suspicious activity.

PopBox's focus and plans for the rest of 2015

As a service with a relatively new concept in Indonesia, one of the challenges that must be faced is how to make the service accepted by the community. Responding to this, Adrian explained that there are two things that are key factors so that PopBox can be accepted by the community, namely the ease of service and the coverage of the service area. Therefore, the focus of the PopBox area at this time is locations that are often passed daily, such as shopping areas, offices, apartments, or universities.

Greta explains, "The basic idea is an area that is often passed every day, consciously or not, not an area that we have to go there first when there is a need. In the next phase, we will consider places like that, such as retail shops. ."

Currently, PopBox's own automatic lockers are available at several locations in Jakarta such as Baywalk Mall, Grand Slipi Tower, Kalibata City Square, and EV Hive. With initial funding from East Ventures, one of PopBox's plans is to be able to be present throughout Jabodetabek by the end of this year. In addition, Adrian also revealed that there are plans to launch mobile apps also at the end of the year and in the future the C2C model will also be adopted by PopBox.

Adrian revealed that although the e-commerce market in Indonesia is still growing and there are many opportunities for growth, including in logistics services, the market itself is large enough for some people to participate. The presence of PopBox is also positioned as an alternative solution to logistical challenges, which according to Adrian is one of the main challenges E-commerce in Indonesia other than payment. Adrian says:

"We know what we are doing [well]. We will focus on that, so we can give the best of what we are doing. For me that is the most important thing."

PopBox's service logic makes sense if it is adopted in big cities, where people live very dynamically. As form of implementation of the concept of O2O, on paper the future of PopBox looks bright. If PopBox is able to prove itself, it is not impossible that smart locker services can become a new lifestyle in urban communities.