Careem launches on-demand grocery delivery service in Dubai

The homegrown app is now offering shopping delivery

Careem will now deliver your groceries. AFP

Careem has launched an on-demand grocery service in Dubai, delivering essentials to customers in the emirate.

Through the Careem Now app, you can order produce from local services, listed in the Careem Shops catalogue on the app. The app offers deliveries from groceries, organic and health food shops, pharmacies, coffee shops, roasteries, pet stores and confectioners, as well as cafes and restaurants that deliver meals.

Stores listed on the app on the launch of Careem Shops include Lulu Hypermarket in Dubai, 7-Eleven, 800-Pharmacy, Al Manara Pharmacy, The Pet Corner and Rootz Organics.

Upon checking, 7-Eleven had a 25 to 35 minute delivery time to Dubai Marina for convenient buys such as face masks, instant soups and noodles and snacks, including crisps and samosas.

“Careem’s pledge to assist the community, its partners, customers and Captains during these confusing times is our top priority," says Gheed El Makkaoui, general manager of Careem UAE.

"This new product launch enables us to further meet the needs of the community, and we are delighted to be able to offer delivery of essentials through our platform in a safe, efficient way to simplify the lives of our users."

Shopping delivery in the UAE 

On Thursday, April 2 it was announced that Dubai's RTA taxis had teamed up with a number of the city's online shopping platforms to deliver goods in a non-contact system. The scheme is designed to speed up delivery times and encourage shoppers to stay at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It joined the supermarkets and hypermarkets, including Carrefour, Union Co-op and Lulu, that already offer home delivery. However waiting times for these are currently high, due to the demand.

Similarly, InstaShop connects shoppers to local supermarkets and mini-marts, but waiting times are currently higher than usual too.

Other services include NRTC Fresh for fruits and vegetables (current wait time is less than 24 hours), Kibsons (wait times of around one week) and Grand Gourmet Grocer for meat and fish (next day delivery, subject to availability).

Many boutique brands are also still delivering, including Raw coffee and Florette flowers.