Grace Ashiru
GoLemon, a grocery delivery startup founded by four former Paystack employees, is set to begin testing a next-day delivery service next week, according to sources close to the company who spoke to TechCabal. Currently, GoLemon’s quickest delivery option is two days from the time of order. By reducing its delivery window by over 40%, GoLemon aims to strengthen its position in a competitive market where consumers are used to same-day delivery options offered by companies like Mano, Price Pally, My FoodAngels, and Chowdeck. To meet the demands of faster delivery, GoLemon has confirmed it will operate 24/7.
“Our operations now include overnight shopping—what we call picking and packing—along with processing, early morning quality checks, and real-time inventory management,” GoLemon co-founder Abdulrahman Jogbojogbo shared with TechCabal.
A source familiar with GoLemon’s operations revealed that the tech team is currently building a dashboard designed to enhance order tracking and team communication, a significant upgrade from the Slack bots previously in use. The team will also begin working in shifts to boost overall efficiency.
While industry reports indicate that faster delivery can drive up fulfillment costs, GoLemon has assured that its delivery fees will remain the same. The introduction of next-day delivery marks a pivotal shift for the company, which has consistently emphasized quality and affordability over speed in its service offerings.
During a panel session at Moonshot by TechCabal, GoLemon CEO Yinka Adewuyi shared insights into the company’s customer profile. He explained that GoLemon’s typical customers often make bulk purchases, with an average basket size of ₦50,000, and generally aren’t in a hurry for their deliveries. This allows the startup to prioritize deliveries based on proximity, helping them keep delivery fees as low as ₦300 by leveraging cost-effective sorting.
While slower shipping helps GoLemon manage fulfillment costs, it can be less appealing to impulse buyers—a key demographic for startups like Chowdeck, which sources groceries from malls and local markets with a 40-minute delivery promise, and Mano, which operates from dark stores across Lagos and Abuja for quicker service. PricePally and MyFoodAngels, meanwhile, source produce directly from farmers and open markets to cater to their audience.
“We’ve always had next-day delivery in our sights,” said Jogbojogbo, a GoLemon co-founder. Reflecting on the startup’s early days, he shared that during the pilot phase, they only delivered on weekends. GoLemon has been intentional about pacing its growth to focus on building direct relationships with farmers, manufacturers, and distributors who align with the company’s quality standards.
“The current 36-hour window likely gives GoLemon enough time to source the requested item and meet the expected delivery time,” noted Olapeju Umah, CEO of MyFoodAngels. Quick grocery delivery, however, involves more than just sourcing; having well-structured inventory also plays a crucial role. For startups without their own warehouses, partnering with storage providers can improve access to items on demand. Demand forecasting, meanwhile, allows businesses to optimize inventory levels. GoLemon reports that it has developed a smart prediction model, which is already helping them stock the right items in the correct quantities.
A shorter delivery window could enable GoLemon to better compete with more established players. However, Jogbojogbo clarifies, “Our goal isn’t about fast commerce; it’s about providing a balanced grocery commerce experience that’s accessible to all, offering groceries at the lowest prices and highest quality.”
