Coupang Expands to Taiwan Following Japan Launch

Coupang Expands to Taiwan Following Japanese Launch

Following its initial foray into the Japanese market a month prior, Coupang has now initiated operations in Taiwan. The South Korean e-commerce leader commenced service within Taipei City’s Zhongshan district.

Residents in the designated area are now able to place orders via the Coupang application, benefiting from on-demand delivery services available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. A delivery charge of 19 NTD, equivalent to approximately 68 cents USD, is applied to each order.

Testing and Infrastructure Assessment

Currently, Coupang is in a testing phase, meticulously evaluating various models for its delivery infrastructure within Taiwan. The product range offered mirrors that of its Japanese counterpart.

Customers can procure a diverse selection of goods, including food items, beverages, essential daily necessities, and provisions for their pets.

Competitive Landscape in Taipei

In Taipei, Coupang’s primary competitors are presently Uber Eats and Foodpanda. These platforms facilitate deliveries from a range of retailers, encompassing drugstores alongside restaurants.

A significant distinction lies in Coupang’s current approach to order fulfillment. It directly manages the fulfillment process, rather than dispatching couriers to external stores or restaurants.

Future Expansion and Competition

As Coupang broadens its product offerings, it will inevitably encounter competition from established e-commerce platforms such as Momo and PChome.

These competitors already provide 24-hour delivery options to customers. In its native South Korea, Coupang’s e-commerce platform boasts a catalog of millions of products.

Furthermore, the company offers specialized services like Rocket Fresh for perishable groceries and Coupang Eats for meal deliveries.

Coupang’s Growth and Reputation

Coupang successfully completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in March. Established in 2010, the company has risen to become the dominant force in South Korea’s e-commerce sector.

It has also garnered international acclaim for surpassing Amazon in terms of delivery speed and customer retention rates.

Logistics and Future Markets

Initially, Coupang invested substantially in establishing its own dedicated logistics network. However, it now also collaborates with third-party logistics providers within South Korea.

The specific fulfillment model Coupang will adopt in both Japan and Taiwan remains to be determined. While the company has not yet revealed its next target market, it is actively recruiting personnel in Singapore for key roles in operations, retail, and logistics.

These positions include leadership roles within these departments.