Rocket Internet has continued its march into Asia with the launch of German startup Pricepanda in Indonesia. The electronics cost comparison tool, which lifts prices from various merchants, has enjoyed prior success in Malaysia and Singapore – in the last two weeks the Malaysian site doubled its traffic.
The Indonesian version will sell similar electronics, and joins Amazon clone Lazada and Zalora, a fashion site, in Rocket’s ambitious attempts to crack emerging markets.
Pricepanda has hit the ground running, teaming up with established Indonesian electronics retailers including Challenger, Fotokem, Youbeli, Mobile88, Mobile Megamall, and Cresdo. Co-founder Matti Rönkkö also confirmed that the site is looking at widening the range of products on offer by incorporating health and beauty electronics.
He said: “The emerging markets are really happy to have us there. We had no problems at all finding partners.” As for whether there will be cooperation with the other Rocket Internet companies out there he said: “Yes and no. We talk to each other about things like recruitment and how the market’s doing; however if they wanted their products on Pricepanda, they’ll be similar to any other market player.”
At the moment Pricepanda is based in Berlin, with only one representative on the ground in each of the three countries. But the company has big ambitions, according to Matti. He added: “We want to be the leading portal for saving money in all emerging markets.”
And so it was no surprise that he also confirmed they are looking with interest at another, undisclosed country, as Rocket Internet eyes up increased global growth.