GroupUp (Sustainability)

Environment & Sustainability - Reducing Overconsumption through Group Buying

Team members:

• Sylvester Tan, Developer

• Darren Wah, Developer

• Pang Rui Wei, Developer

• Axel Tan, Developer

Problem Statement

In Singapore, many consumers try to save money by purchasing discounted items that require a minimum order quantity. However, this often leads to overconsumption, as individuals end up buying more than they need just to meet the required amount for a discount. The current group buying process is highly unstructured, with people relying on group chats to find others to share their orders. This inefficient approach makes it difficult to connect with the right participants, leading to unnecessary purchases and wasted resources. The lack of a streamlined system contributes to these inefficiencies and prevents customers from fully realizing the potential savings without overbuying.

Proposed Solution

A centralized platform designed to streamline the group buying process, specifically tackling the issue of overconsumption caused by uncoordinated purchases. This platform will allow users to efficiently find others to share orders, helping them reach discount thresholds without buying more than necessary.

Features:
- Real-Time Visibility: Users can easily see available slots in ongoing group buys, ensuring they find the right group to join without overbuying.
- Automated Order Management: The platform will manage group capacity with features like waiting lists and alternative group options to prevent oversubscription.
- Logistics Coordination: Seamless management of payment collection and delivery scheduling to reduce manual coordination and ensure smooth transactions.
- Consolidated Interface: A single platform that aggregates all group buy information, offering clear updates and notifications to reduce communication overload.

Impact:
By enhancing transparency and simplifying logistics, the platform will help users save money while avoiding overconsumption. It fosters more responsible buying habits and promotes cooperative consumption, benefiting both individuals and the broader community.