A STIMULUS package is being launched by Lazada Malaysia to aid local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the package to last from April to June.
The package, called the “Pakej Kedai Pintar” cash fund, will start with RM10 mil, and aims to help SMEs sell online, stabilise jobs and support the country’s economy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This initiative is estimated to help about 50,000 local SMEs via a series of customised benefits, especially those in the fresh food and grocery categories, new and existing e-commerce sellers, and brick-and-mortar retailers, including those who were planning to set up stalls for Ramadan bazaars.
These eligible SMEs will receive free shipping services and fixed weekly payments, as well as the services of a dedicated support team to onboard, train and develop customised sales campaigns with them through Lazada University.
SMEs dealing in fresh food and groceries, as well as new and existing Lazada sellers, will also be entitled to zero commission and zero listing fees, on top of access to micro-loan facilities.
Through this initiative, SME retailers that are new, or have little experience in e-commerce, can expect to have their costs of selling online covered in full, and will be able to quickly diversify their revenue streams beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar model to an online platform.
“Local SMEs are essential to the nation’s economic growth and people’s livelihood, and by helping them, we hope to bolster Malaysians’ confidence amid the Covid-19 situation. We believe it’s the responsibility of all platform operators to lend support in times like this to the merchants who have made us successful,” said Lazada Malaysia CEO Leo Chow.
From April to June, SMEs can sign up at www.lazada.com.my/sell-on-lazada and have 100% of their capital costs waived. Capital costs refer to the services provided by Lazada Malaysia, including the delivery and shipping of parcels to customers, content development services, product listing, and advertising. Lazada will work with SMEs to curate and list products for up to four months, participate in promotional campaigns, fulfil orders and analyse sales and traffic data.
Through its ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) established in August last year, Lazada is committed to roll out new trade activities and training programmes to increase the adoption of e-commerce amongst local SMEs, and support the government’s “Buy Malaysian” campaign. The stimulus package echoes the government’s economic stimulus mission and pledges to support e-commerce entrepreneurs and SMEs. — April 9, 2020
