A NEW survey by e-commerce company Shopee has found nine in ten Malaysian buyers still prefer online shopping despite the reopening of the economy.
In fact, more than half of shoppers on the platform have adopted online shopping more permanently: 21% feel it is now a habit, 17% say they can easily find readily available stocks online and 14% want to access choices that are not available offline.
On the other hand, 43% of shoppers value shopping online to compare prices in the current inflationary environment, Shopee said in a statement announcing the results of its survey.
In Shopee’s study of over 3,300 buyers and 2,100 sellers across Malaysia from July 19 to Aug 17, 2022, 42% of buyers said getting items delivered faster was the strongest reason for them to shop from local sellers in particular.
Some 20% felt strongly about supporting made-in Malaysia goods to keep the economy running, 19% had preferences for locally-tailored products while 11% believe in the quality of locally sourced and made goods.
Interestingly, not all shoppers prioritise discounts and vouchers exclusively. On the contrary, seven in 10 Malaysian buyers equated having “peace of mind” when using Shopee.
According to the survey findings, 40% attributed this to the convenience and flexibility of having parcels delivered to their doorsteps, while 17% felt safer because Shopee ensures user transactions are safe and secure in not releasing payment to the seller until the customer confirms receipt of the products.
Another 10% said they study reviews and pictures of products left by other customers.
“Locally-tailored experiences”
Similarly, more than eight in ten participating sellers attributed the long-term success of their stores not to discounts offered but to locally-tailored shopping experiences.
Some 34% said there was a straightforward buying and fulfillment process on Shopee, 23% recognised the locally-made products as affordable and of high quality, 19% spoke of great customer service while 9% pointed to Shopee’s optimised storefront and marketing tools.
The study, dubbed the Heart of Malaysia on E-Commerce marketplace survey, also looked at the importance of income generated online by Shopee’s sellers.
Some 45% of Shopee’s community of sellers surveyed conceded that being on the platform enables them to support their family (providing for living essentials, education and lifestyle), about 26% save and invest this income for rainy days ahead, while the remainder uses it to sustain a better quality of life, keep staff employed and enhance their personal development.
The survey also found that Shopee was the only business channel for four in ten local sellers.
Commenting on the survey findings, Shopee Malaysia head of marketing campaigns Kenneth Soh said they underscore how Malaysian sellers continue to succeed and build financial security by selling on online marketplaces like Shopee.
“It’s important for business owners to understand that Malaysian shoppers do have motivations beyond price for shopping online,” he said. “They can create more loyalty and engagement simply by matching their offerings and content with buyer values.”
Shopee’s survey is the first in a series of studies and will be built upon in the coming months. – Sept 4, 2022
