BuiltaMart was established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for online grocery shopping surged due to mobility restrictions. The company was co-founded by Justin Marco Tee, together with Jan Marvin Tee, Jon Michael Tee, and Ben Alcazaren.

The founders initially started the business with a small inventory stored in a household freezer before expanding into dedicated fulfillment centers. Their experience in logistics and e-commerce—particularly Justin Tee’s background leading grocery operations at Grab Philippines—helped shape BuiltaMart’s operational model. [2]

Unlike conventional supermarkets, BuiltaMart primarily operates through dark stores, which are warehouses optimized for online grocery fulfillment rather than customer visits.

This model allows the company to:

• Process online grocery orders efficiently.

• Maintain dedicated storage for fresh, frozen, and chilled products.

• Offer scheduled and same-day deliveries.

• Reduce operating costs compared to large retail supermarkets.

Orders can be placed through:

• BuiltaMart’s website

• Mobile application

• Marketplace partners such as GrabMart, Lazada, and Pick-A-Roo. [2]

BuiltaMart offers a broad grocery catalog that includes:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Meat and seafood

• Dairy products

• Frozen food

• Pantry staples

• Beverages

• Snacks

• Imported groceries

• Specialty ingredients

• Household essentials

• Personal care products

According to the company, its platform carries over 6,000 products from local and international brands. [3]

The company operates through:

• Web-based grocery ordering

• Android mobile application

• Delivery scheduling

• Digital payment integration

• Real-time inventory management

• Cold-chain logistics for temperature-sensitive products

Supported payment methods include:

• GCash

• Credit and debit cards

• Cash on Delivery (COD) [3]

BuiltaMart focuses on:

• Same-day grocery delivery

• Scheduled grocery delivery

• Fresh produce quality control

• Dedicated cold storage

• In-house fulfillment operations

The company serves customers primarily in:

• Metro Manila

• Select nearby service areas (coverage varies by location). [3]

In 2022, BuiltaMart raised US$3 million in seed funding.

The investment round was led by Gentree Fund, with participation from:

• DayOne Capital Ventures

• Alpha JWC Ventures

• Several angel investors

The funding was intended to expand fulfillment hubs, improve logistics infrastructure, and scale operations across Metro Manila. [2]

BuiltaMart provides an Android application that enables customers to:

• Browse grocery products

• Place orders

• Schedule deliveries

• Track purchases

• Make digital payments

The app has surpassed 100,000 downloads on Google Play and is regularly updated with improvements and bug fixes. [3]

BuiltaMart competes within the Philippine online grocery and quick-commerce market alongside services such as:

• GrabMart

• Pick-A-Roo

• MetroMart

• Landers Online

• Robinsons Supermarket Online

• WalterMart Delivery

Its differentiation centers on:

• Premium grocery assortment

• Dedicated fulfillment centers

• Same-day delivery

• Strong focus on fresh produce

• Specialized grocery logistics [2]

Online customer discussions commonly highlight:

Strengths

• Fast same-day delivery

• Good packaging for chilled and frozen products

• Reliable communication regarding substitutions

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Access to specialty grocery items

Common criticisms

• Prices can be slightly higher than traditional supermarkets.

• Delivery availability is limited to supported service areas.

• Some users note a narrower selection of non-food household items compared with large supermarkets. [4]

BuiltaMart aims to expand its fulfillment network and increase delivery capacity while maintaining a quality-focused grocery experience. Following its seed funding, the company announced plans to open additional fulfillment hubs and scale its operations throughout Metro Manila before pursuing broader expansion. [2]

BuiltaMart has grown from a small pandemic-era startup into one of the Philippines’ notable online grocery platforms. By combining dark-store logistics, technology-driven order fulfillment, and an emphasis on fresh products, the company has positioned itself as a premium grocery delivery service serving urban consumers seeking convenience and reliable same-day delivery. [2]

1. BuiltaMart – Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters Locations

2. BuiltaMart: Grocery Delivery – Apps on Google Play

3. builtamart review