Hello Betamax, I've been buying dog food via Shopee for three years now. My dog's preferred brand is a lot cheaper on the platform than in nearby stores. Lately, however, it feels like the price has been going up while promos appear less and less often. It's hurting my pocket, and increased logistics costs could very well be the culprit. One firm that seems to have weathered the storm, though, is Anchanto. While not strictly a logistics firm, Anchanto offers a SaaS product for ecommerce and supply chain operations. As founder and CEO Vaibhav Dabhade tells me for this edition's featured story, the company has looked to other markets like Europe and the Middle East to grow beyond its Southeast Asian base. Anchanto's net revenue grew 16% to US$15.2 million, but the company kept overall operating expenses flat. Its own logistics clients, like last-mile delivery firm Ninja Van, are currently caught in a price war across Southeast Asia. In 2026, this is compounded by high oil prices and cooling consumer spending. Anchanto is also eyeing an expansion into the US, believing that one can't be a truly global SaaS player without a presence there. It's a logical move, but the US market is notoriously tough to crack. If this western play pays off for Anchanto, we'll be sure to let you know. Miguel Cordon, journalist |
