WeMENA, the startup online marketplace for wholesalers is pulling out all the stops to keep up with regional demand for the products that help companies and workers avoid contracting coronavirus.
Among the website’s 50,000 strong product line – with 1,000+ more products being added every week – is everything companies might need to protect key workers, staff and their families from contracting and spreading the virus.
Pali Banwait, co-founder, says: “In this especially difficult time for everybody, our site, which launched at the beginning of 2020, is proving to be a cost-effective way of helping companies stay afloat during this unusual time. We are working relentlessly to keep maintaining access to stock levels by working closely with our partners, our prices are kept fair and ensuring key industries have access to PPE, [Personal Protective Equipment] hand sanitiser and disinfection and sterilisation products, for example.”
While many businesses are struggling to source essential products – as well as face masks, sanitiser and other essentials – signing up for a free WeMENA account brings easy, safe, online access to a myriad of products via the platform’s expert sourcing team.
Many traditional businesses are not skilled enough to source products from new channels – especially in the current climate – but WeMENA makes it far easier for them.
“We’re working around the clock with manufacturers and distributors to get essentials into the hands of businesses so they can continue business – and continue to bring in revenue, while ensuring their staff feel safe and protected,” adds Banwait.
“By helping business remain open we are saving jobs and in turn lightening the burden on the state too. We’d like to think we are doing our bit by encouraging businesses to ‘stay home’ and order online – with free delivery and low minimum order quantities, we hope we are providing something of a lifeline to the SMEs that are the bedrock of the region’s commercial activity.”
He cites the example of small grocery stores – which can take full advantage of WeMENA’s large supply sources by buying in smaller quantities with flexible payment terms.
Another recent example was a Dubai-based food production plant, which has been able to remain open after purchasing essential PPE sourced from WeMENA for its staff.
It’s not only the products that allow businesses to continue working safely during the pandemic. WeMENA is a simple, straightforward gateway that brings bulk purchasers together with reliable, trustworthy manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. Buyers include retailers, hospitality outlets, offices and the procurement departments of large organisations.
WeMENA provides sellers with hassle free access to new business customers, while providing them with a reliable payment solution, while handling all delivery logistics and post-delivery customer service issues.
The platform provides buyers with easy access through it’s web and mobile apps around the clock to the latest products at competitive prices, saving them the time and hassle of sourcing products, and visiting tradeshows and wholesale markets – something which isn’t possible in the current circumstances
Recent additions to the site’s product lines include catering supplies, electronics and stationery and of course personal protection equipment during the pandemic.