SMS shopping for SARS-wary buyers
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Consumers can order goods from this department store by sending SMS 

The goods can be collected or delivered. The global outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has triggered several "SARS phobias" with a few people even minimising their local outings. For these SARS-wary consumers, a department store near the capital has introduced an innovative way of shopping - the shoppers can just send a text message via their mobile phones' Short Message Service or SMS to order goods and products from the store.

A spokesperson of De Rimba Department Store Sdn Bhd in Kg Rimba said products ordered through the SMS could either be collected at the store or delivered to the homes of the SMS customers with a minimal delivery charge, of course.

"Consumers can order their goods by sending SMS to 8885555. We can have the goods ready for them to collect or we can even deliver them for a small charge," she said, adding that such a service was also introduced in view of busy consumers who have limited time to do their shopping.

"Modern consumers spent more time at work and less time at home. If shopping is included then time at home will be more limited. Therefore, the service is introduced so consumers can spend less time shopping and more time with their families," she said.

Such delivery services are common in Singapore as the population are worried about venturing outside their homes due to the outbreak of SARS in the island republic.

However, such ordering of goods and products by SMS is definitely a first in Brunei though a few fast food chains also accept phone orders and food is delivered to the doorstep.

"It's so easy. Just SMS us to say what goods or products you want to buy and tell us whether you want to collect yourself or have the goods delivered to your doorstep. Of course, don't forget to give us your address if you want your goods to be delivered," she said.

She added that the supermarket is currently planning to introduce online shopping vis-à-vis its website, www.brucyber.com.

The store believes that there is an adequate demand for e-business to flourish despite the sluggish global market, a stagnant economy, SARS, terrorism fears and the threat of recession.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin