Wassim Makarem, VP of Q-Commerce at talabat, says the company has 20 talabat marts across the UAE, operating in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, and 52 across the region. Image: supplied
Wassim Makarem, VP of Q-Commerce at talabat, says the company has 20 talabat marts across the UAE, operating in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, and 52 across the region. Image: supplied
Wassim Makarem, VP of Q-Commerce at talabat, says the company has 20 talabat marts across the UAE, operating in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, and 52 across the region. Image: supplied
Wassim Makarem, VP of Q-Commerce at talabat, says the company has 20 talabat marts across the UAE, operating in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, and 52 across the region. I

From e-commerce to q-commerce: The rise of the 30 minutes or less delivery


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In the late 20th century, and early 21st, traditional e-commerce revolutionised the delivery landscape through online ordering. As we are all familiar with, as consumers, we can order our goods online, and have them delivered in many cases within a week, and in some cases, overnight delivery.

E-Commerce is famous for using delivery trucks and mega warehouses to host a wide selection of the products, so that they can offer the convenience of home-delivery to consumers.

q-commerce allows our riders to deliver goods to customers almost instantly, by working between a network of small centralised hubs that are strategically placed in different areas of cities where we operate

However, here at talabat, we understood consumers wanted to be able to order grocery items faster, i.e. in 30 minutes or less. Therefore, we launched talabat mart, our q-commerce solution, within our app in the UAE in March last year, just before the pandemic, after a successful launch in Kuwait in 2019.

We now have 20 talabat marts across the UAE, operating in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, and 52 across the region.

In essence, q-commerce allows our riders to deliver goods to customers almost instantly, by working between a network of small centralised hubs that are strategically placed in different areas of cities where we operate. Through creating the value of speed, and at the same price point as a more traditional option, customers are understanding that it is the smart choice.

Image: supplied
Image: supplied

When you look more into the smart choice element - the fact that talabat helped to ensure people stayed safe and home during the pandemic, and as life is returning to a higher sense of normality here in the UAE, with more and more citizens and residents enjoying the benefits of vaccination from COVID-19, it has had a lasting impact, you can see why consumers now expect speed and effortless ordering.

Our data shows that in these areas, we are delivering. Over 60% of our deliveries with talabat mart are below 20 minutes - well below our 30 minute aim, with the quickest delivery time of 7 minutes! If we think how long it takes to go down to leave home, go down the lift, get the kids in the car, and out of the parking building - that’s already 20 minutes! It’s easy to see how this convenience adds time back to many people’s lives!

We also have a lot of other interesting data points! Since the start of the pandemic we have sold in excess of 70,000kgs of oranges, as people look toward more immunity boosting ingredients, and in Q3 of 2020 we have also sold over 50,000 boxes of nappies - definitely something that many parents might need in 30 mins or less! Groceries are just the beginning at talabat mart - we are exploring expanding our q-commerce offering to electronic gadgets, sports equipment, beauty products and much more in the near future.

Since the start of the pandemic we have sold in excess of 70,000kgs of oranges, as people look toward more immunity boosting ingredients, and we have also sold over 50,000 boxes of nappies - definitely something that many parents might need in 30 mins or less!

To make all of this happen, we are relying on our innovative platform, the strong fleet we have built over the years and the massive local investments in technology we made to be the fastest and the most reliable option in the market.

Apart from the dedicated delivery-only hubs, to enable non-grocery offerings traditional stores will be added to the mix. What is great about Q-commerce is that it enables local SMEs to ship directly from their stores without the need to ship their products to central warehouses. A rider will show up, pick up a product from the local SME and deliver it directly to customers - presenting a win-win scenario for both local SMEs and nearby customers.

Hopefully I've convinced you to be part of the next generation of q-commerce users. If so, open your talabat app, and experience talabat Mart in the groceries section, today!

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

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War and the virus
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

On sale: now

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000