Zakaz

About Zakaz

Zakaz.ua is a Ukrainian grocery delivery service established in 2010 by Yegor Anchishkin, a serial tech entrepreneur who also co-founded the facial recognition startup Viewdle, later acquired by Google. Anchishkin's experience with Viewdle provided a strong technological foundation for Zakaz.ua, which he envisioned after identifying a gap in the market for a dedicated online grocery delivery platform. The company initially launched as Kabanchi.com before rebranding to Zakaz.ua in 2011. Over the years, it secured significant funding, including a notable $2.5 million from Chernovetskyi Investment Group (CIG) in 2014, which fueled its expansion. An attempted expansion into the U.S. market in 2015 under the brand name CartFresh did not achieve long-term success, leading the company to refocus on its core markets.

The company operates on a B2B2C model, partnering directly with major grocery retail chains rather than owning inventory. Its core business involves providing a comprehensive e-commerce solution for these retailers, which includes a proprietary IT platform for order processing, professionally trained personal shoppers who pick items in-store, and a dedicated courier network for delivery. This allows retail partners like METRO Cash & Carry, AUCHAN, and NOVUS to offer online shopping and delivery without developing their own infrastructure. Revenue is generated through delivery fees paid by the end customer, while product prices remain identical to those on the supermarket shelves. Customers place orders via the company's website or dedicated iOS and Android applications, choosing from a wide catalog of products. Deliveries are scheduled in convenient two-hour windows, with same-day service available.

Zakaz.ua, as part of the Zakaz Global group, has established a dominant position in Ukraine, serving 13 major cities. It has also expanded internationally into Moldova with Zakaz.md, which launched in 2019. The business's asset-light model and robust technology platform, which handles everything from taking high-quality product photos to optimizing delivery logistics, have been key to its scalability. After a period of growth, the Spanish delivery giant Glovo announced an acquisition of Zakaz.ua in January 2022, although one of the main shareholders later stated the deal was not closed.