EasyAisle shopping option from tomorrow

by Marlon Madden

As Barbadians join the growing number of global online shoppers, one tech entrepreneur is capitalising on the growing trend, while providing an outlet for more local firms to offer their products to the growing audience.

Kailash Pardasani is the founder of the new online marketplace EasyAisle, the one-stop online shopping platform, which allows anyone to search and shop securely for a range of products from local companies.

The website went live about a month ago, but will be officially introduced tomorrow, October 1.

Pardasani told Barbados TODAY he had the idea for the e-commerce platform for several years, but decided the time was now right for its roll out.

“It is really the future of shopping,” he said.

“It is well needed in the Caribbean, well needed in Barbados for sure, and obviously with COVID-19, that sped up the need for online secure shopping and accurate deliveries,” he said.

Joining the ranks of some of the most popular e-commerce websites around the world, EasyAisle offers individuals the option to shop for groceries, electronics, household items, pet supplies, automotive supplies, fashion, health and beauty supplies, among others.

Once a prospective customer visits the EasyAisle website, they are able to browse the tens of thousands of products, add items to their cart and check out.

They have the option to pay online or in cash and are able to use a GPS order tracking to follow the progress of their order, which is delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Customers also have the option to pick up their items in store.

EasyAisle currently has a team of ten people, and Pardasani said he would continue to look for more talent as the business expands.

The businessman said in addition to providing an efficient and safe space for residents to shop, his aim was to empower local businesses by providing them with an added avenue to sell their products.

“So there are no overseas sellers. We are onboarding and partnering with local companies and individuals with offering of their products that they have in stock and just making it easily accessible to the Barbadian public,” he explained.

He said while he did not have statistics to say how widespread or how often Barbadians were shopping online, he believed sooner rather than later, Barbadians will become even more inclined to shop online for just about anything.

What is more, Pardasani said with the county embarking on several initiatives including the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp, which allows people from abroad to live in Barbados while working remotely for up to a year at a time, he expected to see a further boost to e-commerce here.

“While the climate is extremely tough for businesses, this is exactly why EasyAisle is the way to go for the future . . . are we too early? I would say definitely not. We are actually on time,” he said.

Being the first full online shopping website for tens of thousands of products from different local businesses, Pardasani said he was not too concerned about competition from the “concierge services” and “delivery type services” currently being offered by companies.

Stating that he did not foresee any future challenges with online shopping in Barbados, he gave the assurance that the website was secure.

In fact, he said he and his team spent months satisfying local and global security requirements, and they had high quality systems in place to ensure safe delivery of goods.

“So you are safe from an electronic standpoint and a physical standpoint for a proper first in Barbados full online marketplace experience,” he said.

The PromoTech CEO said while there were always areas for improvement when it comes to doing business, he was satisfied that it has been improving “rapidly” in recent times.

His simple advice to potential entrepreneurs and new business owners is, do not be afraid to ask questions
and take a leap.

“Go out there and do what you have to do. We have the advantage that the world is changing. So if you have a business idea go for it. Do your research, talk to your peers and if you have a mentor talk to your mentor.

“I think the world is more open today than it used to be, where people are more willing to share experiences and advice and it helps the young and even older entrepreneurs to just do what they have been aspiring to do their entire life. Now is the time,” said Pardasani.

marlonmaddeb@barbadostoday.bb