TRANSPORTATION, logistics, supply chain and storage provider QuickCart has entered the Trinidad and Tobago market.

The Jamaican-owned company began operating in March 2016 as QuickCart, offering delivery service from five partner restaurants through its eponymous app. Since then, the company has increased its partners to over 130 restaurants and stores in Jamaica, as well as expand its offerings to include QuickCart Rides.

“It was always part of our vision to one day become a regional entity. Today, we’ve started along that path with our launch in Trinidad & Tobago,” the company shared in a post on LinkedIn on September 9.

At present, the company is offering doorstep delivery service from restaurants and convenience stores in West Trinidad. QuickCart, however, indicated plans to expand into other regions, including Tobago, and add delivery service from electronics stores, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Responding to questions from Jamaica Observer, QuickCart CEO Monique Powell said the company now services Port of Spain, Diego Martin and surrounding areas. She also listed Paprika Bistro, Valpark Chinese, Magnolia Café, MamaMia, and Sakura Arts as some of its vendor-partners.

When asked about capitalising the expansion of QuickCart into the twin-island republic, Powell said, “I’d rather not give a figure at this time. The expansion is partially financed by investment that was received from Roots Financial earlier this year, as well as by fresh capital that will be injected into the business.”

Earlier this year, in February, Roots Financial Group announced a 42 per cent acquisition in Powell Interactive Limited, the owner of the QuickCart trademark.

“The transaction involved the initial purchase of holdings held by a group of investors representing 22 per cent of the company as well as fresh capital for the expansion programme of the company,” Roots Financial Director Kevin Donaldson disclosed at the time, adding that the fresh capital represents an additional 20 per cent stake in the company.

He added that the aim of the capital injection was to position the company for exponential growth while also focusing on product development.

For now, Powell anticipates QuickCart’s Trinidad and Tobago operation will eventually contribute between 30 per cent and 35 per cent of total revenues. And while the CEO is hungry for even more expansion into other Caribbean countries, she said the priority is to grow the company in its existing markets.

“Between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, we’ll have our hands full for the rest of this year,” she told Caribbean Business Report.

“Our plan for at least the next nine months is to focus on continued growth in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago while continuing to build out and improve upon the supporting technology,” Powell added.

In the last three months, QuickCart has advertised positions for operations coordinator, business development officer, software engineer, head of growth and marketing, among others.

In terms of managing the Trinidad operations, Powell noted, “Some functions will be managed centrally from Jamaica, some from Trinidad and Tobago. We do have office facilities that we utilise in Trinidad; however, for now, our team members in Trinidad primarily work remotely.”