Retail News CRM

Category: E-Tailing

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest E-Commerce & Etail news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Korean online bookstores in delivery war

    Korean online bookstores in delivery war

    Korean online bookstores are pushing back their deadlines for same-day delivery, and jumping into the current delivery war that started when Coupang launched its ‘Rocket Delivery’ service.

    But while the bookstores’ new service is expected to attract more customers, concerns are rising over driver safety.

    Yes 24, the largest online bookstore in Korea, announced  it will extend the deadline for same-day delivery service by one hour. Customers will be able to receive purchased products on the same day for orders placed before 2pm, with those in Seoul benefiting from an extra hour and a 3pm deadline.

    Yes 24’s changes follow a move by competing online bookstore Aladdin, which has already pushed back it’s same-day delivery deadline by an hour.

    Coupang started the wave of delivery wars in Korea with the launch of an ultra-fast delivery service called ‘Rocket Delivery’ in March 2014, and the establishment of its own logistics system.

    Henry Ro, Coupang VP, said the Rocket Delivery service offers the greatest customer experience. “Rocket Delivery is an integrated ‘end-to-end’ service that has never been attempted in other countries.”

    However, despite consumer satisfaction, Coupang is expected to log over 400 billion won (US$326.9 million) in operating losses when it files its 2015 audit report in mid-April, due to rising costs in building new logistics centers and hiring new staff, according to industry sources.

    Other negative side effects are also pervasive. While Korean consumers are accustomed to ‘super quick’ deliveries provided by almost every type of business, the number of delivery people injured on the job is skyrocketing.

    According to data from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, 4460 delivery people were injured on the job between 2012 and 2014. News reports of delivery people involved in fatal accidents are also becoming common.

    Popular 30-minute delivery services are an example. Pizzerias used to compete to deliver pizza within 30 minutes, promising free pizza if the delivery is late. However, 30-minute delivery is now banned, as it was identified as the cause of numerous accidents.

    In the meantime, other online bookstores are looking into joining the delivery war with Yes 24 and Aladdin.

    Interpark plans to extend its deadline for same-day deliveries as well, and Kyobo Books is also looking into providing the service.

    Bookworms are thrilled that they can get the books they ordered right away. One customer commented on the convenience of the service, noting, “we no longer have to make the long trip to the bookstore every time we want to buy a book”.

    However, some point out that bookstores should be focused on providing other services instead of fast deliveries. “The books are so expensive. I would rather have additional benefits such as discounts or book points that can be used at the bookstores,” one customer said.

  • Henry Sy, Lazada team up for Philippine online retail business

    Henry Sy, Lazada team up for Philippine online retail business

    Billionaire Henry Sy, owner of the largest Philippine builder and retailer, has partnered with an online retailer backed by Germany’s Rocket Internet SE to target the rising number of consumers in the Southeast Asian nation who shop using the Internet.

    SM Investments Corp, Sy’s holding company, has reached an agreement to use the platform of the Philippine unit of Rocket Internet’s Lazada to sell online merchandise from toys to clothes, Teresita Sy-Coson, a daughter of the billionaire owner and vice chairwoman of the company, said in an interview. SM will initially sell light-to-carry non-food items through Lazada that eventually could include home furnishings and appliances, she said.

    “This strategic alliance with Lazada will further enhance our online store,” Sy-Coson said. “It’s a very good match: Lazada has its expertise and we also have our own expertise.”

    SM Investments, operator of the country’s biggest chain of retail stores and owner of the nation’s largest shopping mall builder, faces intensifying competition as rivals from Robinsons Retail Holdings to Puregold Price Club expand their network. Internet access and the use of smartphones have also been rising, encouraging EBay Inc, Alibaba Group Holdings and Amazon.com to tap local online shoppers.

    More Filipinos are accessing the Internet, including on mobile devices. About 40% of the Philippine’s population of more than 100mn were Internet users in 2012, up from 5.2% in 2004, according to the World Bank. The Philippines had about 118mn mobile phone subscribers at end-2015.

    SM Investments’ alliance with Lazada comes two years after Sy-Coson said in a Bloomberg interview in February 2014 that the group has been testing e-commerce websites and targets a full-scale online operation by 2016. The SM Group currently has websites that sell toys and home appliances as well as vouchers that give customers as much as 50% discount in purchasing selected merchandise from its department stores and supermarkets.

    The Philippine e-commerce market is forecast to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 101.4% from 2013 through to 2018, according to a 2014 report by Ken Research. The online retail market, a component of e-commerce, is projected to rise 189.2% over the same period, it said.

    Lazada, which began its Philippine operations in 2012, led Internet retailing in the country in 2015 with a 20% market share as it met rising Filipino interests for gadgets and electronic appliances from smartphones, tablets to home theatre systems at prices that were a “huge” discount, according to a Euromonitor International January 2016 report.

    Lazada.com.ph, which has 7,000 merchants, is the country’s sixth most popular website and ranks 14th globally among online merchant websites, according to Inanc Balci, chief executive at Lazada’s Philippine operations. He said the Filipino shopping pattern has evolved with 60% of their customers buying goods through mobile Internet.

    Lazada Group is a privately owned e-commerce company founded in 2011 by Rocket Internet with the goal of building Southeast Asia’s Amazon.com. Aside from the Philippines, it operates sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Singapore’s Temasek Holdings is among its large shareholders, according to Rocket Internet’s website.

    SM Investments’ retail operations, which include department stores, grocers, supermarkets and convenience stores, posted a 17% growth in profit to 6.8bn pesos last year on a 7% increase in sales. SM Prime Holdings, its shopping mall venture, had a 14% increase in recurring profit to 20.9bn pesos.

    “The retail business is evolving,” Sy-Coson said. “It is important for a retailer to go online and it’s the right move to go with Lazada.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Lazada Philippines Celebrates 4th Anniversary

    Lazada Philippines Celebrates 4th Anniversary

    Lazada, the leading online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia is celebrating its 4th anniversary with a 4-day Birthday Sale from March 15-18.

    The Birthday Sale will treat shoppers to a range of deals of up to 90% across a wide selection of categories featuring Home and Living, Travel and Luggage, and Consumer Electronics.  Well-known brand partners including Samsung, Microsoft, Tosot, Unilever, Nestle, and Belo will also participate in the sale offering special promotions throughout the celebration.

     image002 

    Birthday blowout highlights include:

    ·         Hourly Flash Deals

    ·         Php 4 Sale

    ·         Jackpot games for additional discounts

    ·         Facebook & Instagram games where customers have a chance to win a TV and smart phones

    ·         A chance to win a trip to Dubai for two with every Cherry Mobile purchase  

    Brand ambassadors LA Aguinaldo and Kelsey Merritt, who personify Lazada’s fun and effortless vibe, will join the country’s largest online party.  

    Birthday Milestones  

    Where Customers go, Lazada goes

    Since its launch in 2012, Lazada PH has experienced rapid growth. “We delight in witnessing how Filipinos’ shopping habits have evolved, as we commit to give customers more options to make the most out of their busy lifestyles. 60% of Lazada customers already shop via mobile – a clear indication of how Lazada has successfully adapted to modern Filipino digital habits. We collaborate closely with the biggest brands to offer the best assortment and prices, which has made Lazada a primary destination for every shopper,” said Lazada PH CEO Inanc Balci.  

    Empowering a growing SME segment

    Balci stressed Lazada’s commitment to helping SMEs tap wider markets. “In our four years of operations in the Philippines we have seen tremendous opportunity for SME’s in the e-commerce industry. We currently have 7,000 merchants onboard, and continue to make enhancements in our sellers’ platform to encourage more entrepreneurs to sell online. We commit to provide logistics capabilities to make selling more effortless for our merchants.”  

    More products, more places, more birthdays to come

    “Looking ahead, Lazada Philippines will continue to focus on increasing our product assortment, expand our logistics infrastructure and introduce payment solutions to further enhance the effortless shopping experience for our customers,” Inanc added.

    Future Plans

    Lazada PH has recently unveiled the new site 30-sqm Fulfillment Center in Cabuyao, Laguna which will for be completed by end-year.  The center, which is double the capacity of the current warehouse, will have automated features for inventory, selection, parcel movement and dimensional weight measurement.

    Lazada Express, the in-house delivery arm is and modernizing the Sortation Center and opening 20 hubs throughout the country to increase delivery footprint and reach.

    And as part of Lazada’s commitment to make shopping more effortless for everyone, an express delivery option will be launched in Metro areas for rush deliveries.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Zalora Turns 4 this March

    Zalora Turns 4 this March

    ZALORA, Asia’s online fashion destination, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, ZALORA will host a series of events and activities for customers, media and partners in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand throughout the next two months.

    “Over the past four years, ZALORA has consistently strive to improve its product offering, brand proposition and customer experience to change the online fashion retail scene in Asia. According to a research, only 40% of the Southeast Asia population have access to the internet1, this is still below the global average. As an online retailer in an emerging markets, it’s important for ZALORA to contribute to the growth of e-commerce in the region and offer a platform where brands can reach more consumers and for fashion consumers to have access to the best fashion brands anytime, anywhere,” said Michele Ferrario, CEO, ZALORA Group.

    ZALORA celebrates by giving back to fashion

    As part of the fourth year anniversary celebration, ZALORA is introducing two exciting initiatives: ZALORA Style Awards and Make Me a ZALORA Model. In its effort to encourage and support the region’s fashion community, ZALORA will honour talented individuals who made the fashion scene in Southeast Asia a hotbed for creativity and expression through the ZALORA Style Awards, which is set to debut in late March 2016. ZALORA strongly believes that fashion is a great enabler and by giving recognition to individuals in the industry who have been contributing to their respective local fashion communities, ZALORA hopes to inspire future fashion players to pursue a career in the industry.

    In April, ZALORA will launch the first ever regional model scouting competition, using Instagram and the infamous “selfies” as a platform for its search. From a modelling contract with ZALORA to fantastic gift prizes, Make Me a ZALORA Model is an opportunity for aspiring models to fast track their career and become the newest face in modelling scene. More information will be available soon.

    How ZALORA is changing the way people shop fashion in Asia

    Access

    From the start, ZALORA saw navigating the complex and fragmented Southeast Asian infrastructure – achieved with heavy investments in operations and logistics resources and strong local teams – as essential to the company’s success. This focused vision and execution have directly resulted in access to otherwise inaccessible global and local fashion and beauty brands for fans in second and third cities or remote places in Southeast Asia – many hours away from the closest offline store.

    Bridging offline and online

    To introduce ZALORA to consumers in the region and build trust with first-time online shoppers, ZALORA launched the first click-and-mortar shop in Asia that gives consumers a physical ZALORA experience where shoppers can try on products and get familiarised with shopping ZALORA’s e- commerce site. The success of the first digital pop-up store in Singapore led to the opening of more pop-up stores in the region – Penang, Malaysia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and Manila, Philippines. Designed to increase awareness, this omni-channel approach has proven to be a success as up to 90% of consumers who bought from the pop-up store are new customers.

    Platforms

    The number of smartphone users in Asia Pacific – more than 1 billion in 2015 – is projected to increase by almost 50% by 20192. Keeping pace with the regional growing popularity of m-commerce, ZALORA is focusing on providing a World-Class experience through its apps which are available on all Android and iOS platforms, ensuring that mobile consumers are empowered with the convenience of shopping

    anytime and anywhere they go even in areas where connectivity is not yet very fast. This results in more than 10 million downloads of the award-winning ZALORA app.

    Growth

    In developing countries/cities where hard assets infrastructure is not as developed and distribution of goods are weaker, mobile phone becomes more than a communication tool; it is a platform to procure goods. Based on MasterCard’s Mobile Shopping Survey, half of smartphone users in Asia Pacific are shopping on their device – a clear indicator of a shifting consumer habit as more people are venturing into mobile commerce. Nearly half of the respondents across Asia Pacific (49.5%) cited convenience as the most compelling reason for shopping on their smartphone. Other motivating factors include the ability to shop on the go (43.9%). Driven by this shift, ZALORA is constantly improving its apps, enhancing efficiency and ease of use for the customers. The effort has paid off: more than 50% of site visits in 2015 were from the ZALORA App or mobile site, with more than half of the orders coming from mobile devices.

    During the annual cyber event 12.12 Online Fever in December 2015, fashion thumb shoppers also gained grounds on desktop shoppers: 78.5% compared to 21.5%. Additionally, the number of customers who shopped on ZALORA through mobile had a 250% increase from 2014. This is in line with the changing consumer behaviour and the growing trend of consumers in the region shopping heavily through their mobile devices.

    ZALORA’s 12.12 Online Fever – Asia’s version of Cyber Monday – played a pivotal role in the boost of the regional confidence in online purchase, subsequently converting traditional consumers into e- consumers. This initiative was met with strong support from fashion consumers across the eight markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Taiwan – with over six times the volume of any previous day, and an acquisition of 32% first time ZALORA customers in 2015.

    According to PayPal Cross-Border Consumer Research 2015, fashion emerged as the top category for both online cross-border shopping (53%) and mobile shopping (27.9%). To keep pace with the demand, ZALORA carries over 6,000 global and local fashion brands on one single site, carefully curated to provide the best fashion offering for its customers.

    In recognition of the growth in online fashion shopping, ZALORA will sustain its dedication to an ever- improving and meaningful online shopping experience: the access to favourite brands and same-day delivery, all achieved with a few clicks. Every day, ZALORA is one step closer to revolutionising the way people shop and redefining the high-street fashion accessibility in this part of the world. To date, ZALORA has served close to four million customers in just a few years.

    Driven by a team of young experts in fashion, logistics, data analytics, marketing, and design, paired with guidance from business consultants and tech geniuses, ZALORA’s vision is set on growth, making ZALORA the online fashion authority in Asia. ZALORA will continue to strive for excellence, enhance the customer experience by improving interface and customer engagement, particularly through mobile applications, boost confidence in online shopping and transform the way fashion is purchased in Asia to help build an e-commerce friendly environment.

    Follow ZALORA’s fourth anniversary celebrations at #ZALORA4You.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Garb Car Establishes Cooperative

    Garb Car Establishes Cooperative

    Grab Car Indonesia announced a partnership with the Indonesian Rental Business Owners Cooperative (PRRI) after the Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister handed over the memorandum of incorporation for the cooperative on Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

    “We decided to do this [partnership with the cooperative] based on government’s recommendation,” Grab Indonesia managing director Ridzki Kramadibrata said at the Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

    Ridzki added that with such partnership, the company could immediately apply for vehicle road worthiness tests (KIR). Ridzki revealed that Grab Car Indonesia would wait for instruction from the government.

    In response to Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s suggestion related to sticker uses, Ridzki said that his company would accept the suggestion.

    “We’re happy with the suggestion, because we think that it’s suitable with our business model,” Ridzki added.

    Cooperatives and Small and Medium Minister Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Puspayoga said that Grab Car Drivers had been officially protected by the law and would be able to apply for the KIR test through the cooperative.

    “With such a legal basis, car rental business owners, including Grab Car, will be able to follow government regulations,” Puspayoga added.

    Puspayoga revealed that members of the cooperative could even be facilitated with micro loans (KUR) from the Ministry with an interest rate of below nine percent. Puspayoga explained that the loan could be used for a car down payment.

    PRRI chairman Ponco Seno said that the cooperative would help drivers to have an official organization to run their car rental business, including those who used online applications, under Law No. 22/2009 on Public Transportations.

    “So, Grab Car follows government regulations to run their transportation business in Indonesia,” Ponco said, adding that the application for the cooperative establishment was filed in October 2015.

    Ponco said that the cooperative crafted a program to improve members’ welfare, such as life insurances for drivers. With 5,000 members, Ponco said that the cooperative has set a workshop for 300 cars. The cooperative would also work with other garages to maintain members’ cars.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Wearable technology goes beyond watches

    Wearable technology goes beyond watches

    There is more to wearable technology than wrist devices, with more than 25 exhibitors out to prove this at a consumer technology expo coming up in Shanghai.

    They will be showcasing the latest in wearable innovation at CES Asia, which returns to Shanghai from May 11 to 13.

    Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and co-produced by Intex Shanghai, the event is being hosted at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

    CTA research expects wearable sales in the emerging Asia-Pacific region to increase by 56 per cent this year.

    “Wearables are one of the fastest-growing areas of technology. They not only count our steps, they also track our mood, sleeping habits and even our pets,” says CES senior vice-president Karen Chupka.

    “The possibilities in this product category are endless.”

    Key companies exhibiting wearables at CES Asia include Garmin, Monster and Ximmerse, plus there is a wearables pavilion organised by the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce.

    New this year will be a CTA-hosted session entitled Innovative Wearables, at the Kerry Hotel on May 12. The panel will discuss innovations coming to market, as well as user interface and design.

    So far, 250 companies representing 20 countries across 15 product categories have signed up to exhibit at CES Asia, including 360, BMW, Hisense and Huawei.

    Formerly the Consumer Electronics Association, CTA is the trade association representing the $287 billion US consumer technology industry. It covers more than 2200 companies, 80 per cent of which are small businesses and startups.

  • Indosat Ooredoo, Lintasarta and IBM to Collaborate on the Cloud to Drive Indonesian Digital

    Indosat Ooredoo, Lintasarta and IBM to Collaborate on the Cloud to Drive Indonesian Digital

    Indosat Ooredoo, one of Indonesia’s largest telecommunications and services provider, and IBM today announced they will develop and deliver solutions on the https://www.ibm.com/cloud-computing to help businesses streamline processes and improve productivity. This significant five year partnership, valued at about of $200 million, will help better serve customers in the world’s fourth most populous country.

    Indosat Ooredoo and IBM will build an integrated command center to serve local clients of both companies by monitoring and managing their operations and information technology, and building IT skills and capabilities in Indonesia. IBM will also help Indosat Ooredoo transform its own IT operations, improving overall client experience and supporting the rapid development of new telecommunications services in the country.

    Cloud-based Services for Indonesian Businesses

    IBM & Indosat Ooredoo’s subsidiary, Lintasarta, will jointly develop and deliver cloud-based solutions, powered by IBM Cloud, to help Indonesian businesses drive innovation and agility, streamline their processes and improve productivity. Indonesian clients of Indosat Ooredoo and IBM will be able to access jointly developed cloud-based solutions built on IBM’s Cloud platform — IBM Bluemix — accelerating collaboration and automation of software delivery and infrastructure changes. Clients also will have access to IBM MaaS360, a cloud-based enterprise mobility management platform.

    “This collaboration shows how IBM’s expertise, technology and services can help Indosat Ooredoo and Lintasarta lead market change in Indonesia while also transforming their existing operations,” said Martin Jetter, senior vice president, IBM Global Technology Services. “Indonesia has one of the world’s most rapidly growing economies, and the use of smart mobile devices is becoming pervasive, opening up enormous opportunities for local businesses – so we are excited to be working with Indosat Ooredoo and Lintasarta to help clients tap into the power and flexibility of cloud-based solutions and digitally transform their businesses.”

    Digital & Operational Transformation

    Indosat Ooredoo and IBM also announced a related five-year technology services agreement to deliver digital and operational transformation to all aspects of Indosat Ooredoo’s operations to support the rapid development of new services that are easier to access, less complex and more affordable to use.

    IBM will upgrade Indosat Ooredoo’s IT infrastructure and deliver a range of application management services, including a test environment that will improve time to market for the development of new customer-facing services and applications.

    “Our customers in both telecommunications and IT services are going to benefit from this relationship through improved access to world class offerings and services,” said Alexander Rusli, President and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo. “We will be able to bring a greater range of higher value services to market more rapidly, with the confidence of knowing that we are collaborating with one of the world’s largest and most innovative technology companies. This landmark alliance will reshape the local market and help Indonesian customers and organizations tap into the most advanced technology available anywhere in the world.”

    “Working together, Lintasarta and IBM will accelerate the adoption of cloud-based solutions in Indonesia, helping local organizations increase their efficiency and ability to rapidly expand,” said Arya Damar, President Director of Lintasarta, an Indosat Ooredoo subsidiary that will help build the joint data center. “By combining the global innovation, delivery capability, and expertise of IBM with the local infrastructure, market knowledge and relationships of Lintasarta, we are providing the most advanced path to digital transformation for our clients.”

    Lees ook:

  • Philippines SMEs urged to pursue eCommerce

    Philippines SMEs urged to pursue eCommerce

    Philippines SMEs and micro-businesses are being urged to pursue eCommerce in a government initiative.

    Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) should benefit from global trade opportunities through eCommerce, says the Philippine government.

    The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) targets to reach out to 100,000 MSMEs, 11 per cent of total MSMEs doing local eCommerce – by 2020.

    “We are focusing our promotion activities on eCommerce not only within the East Asia sub region but [also in the Philippines], to help MSMEs to engage in borderless trade, ” said Prudencio Reyes, Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Special Concerns.

    This will help MSMEs engage in borderless trade, given East Asia’s huge market for eCommerce, said Reyes during the recent Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area press conference in Davao, in the south of the Philippines.

    With aid from faster internet connection and increased number of internet users, an eCommerce roadshow for entrepreneurs will focus on e-business models, e-payments, eCommerce website development, eCommerce platforms and eCommerce marketing.

    ASEAN already has 143 million internet users; 44.2 million of them from the Philippines.

    The Philippine eCommerce Roadmap 2016-2020 is a product of private, academic and government discussions, launched in February.

    On March 9-11, 2016, the DTI will join the Asian Development Bank’s Workshop on Cross-Border eCommerce: Towards Seamless Connectivity event in Bangkok.

  • Behind the glitz and glamour is where Indonesia can shine, says Anchanto CEO

    Behind the glitz and glamour is where Indonesia can shine, says Anchanto CEO

    As the startup industry in Southeast Asia develops, we become increasingly familiar with fast changes and daily happenings that continually make the news. It seems that every new day brings with it a flashy new tech startup, else a venture investment that makes your salary seem like nothing at all.

    However, we often forget that these companies and investor monies are highly dependent on the other not-so-flashy modes of business, such as those that Anchanto’s CEO Vaibhav Dabhade, fully embrace. Set to share his views on Echelon Indonesia 2016’s Steer stage panel this April, Dabhade wants to empower Indonesia’s E-commerce roadmap, bringing the logistics lowdown back into the tech space.

    Logistics and entrepreneurship are deeply embedded into Dabhade’s life and family history. He regards his grandfather, who started a logistics business for trucks in central India in 1945, as a huge influence. Today, Dabhade has taken two generations of logistics experience and learning and brought this into a new, digital era.

    He co-founded Anchanto in 2011 out of a belief that e-commerce logistics and fulfilment can be made seamless through technology and the right platform. In his role as Chief Executive Officer, Dabhade oversees Anchanto’s regional business and heads company strategy. This includes management of marketing, sales, product, talent acquisition and regional market expansion.

    Dabhade holds an executive education from Harvard Business School and IIM as well as qualifications in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. He also spends his spare time dreaming about being a painter and excels at graphic design and arts.

    Lees ook:

  • Lazada to intensify promotion, presence in major Indonesian

    Lazada to intensify promotion, presence in major Indonesian

    Entering its fourth year of operations, regional e-commerce giant Lazada Group is seeking to expand its customer base in more major Indonesian cities in a bid to win the online store competition in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

    Lazada Indonesia CEO Magnus Ekbom said Monday that the company would focus on intensifying its presence in major cities outside the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, including Yogyakarta, Medan in North Sumatra, Bandung in West Java and Surabaya in East Java, through road shows and other promotional efforts.

    “The road shows in these cities will connect us with our customers and understand unique regional factors,” Ekbom said.

    “We have also studied what products seem to be the most popular [in the cities] and the results have often been interesting.”

    Lazada Group is a privately owned e-commerce company founded in 2011 by Rocket Internet with the goal of building Southeast Asia’s version of Amazon.com.

    Lazada, which began operations in the Philippines in 2012, led Internet retailing in the country last year with a 20 percent market share as it met rising demand for gadgets and electronic appliances, from smartphones, tablets to home theater systems, at prices that were a “huge” discount, according to a Euromonitor International January 2016 report.

    Aside from the Philippines, it operates sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Pte is one of its large shareholders.

    On March 12, on its anniversary date, the Singapore-based Lazada Group announced that its gross merchandise value (GMV) last year stood at US$1.3 billion across its six Southeast Asian countries of
    operation.

    Lazada runs its business as both an online retailer and marketplace for other online merchants.

    There are currently 11,000 merchants utilizing Lazada Indonesia.

    Since the platform’s Indonesian beginnings, it has grown from employing 200 workers in 2012 to more than 750 in 2016. Currently, 60 percent of transactions on Lazada are made through mobile phones, indicating the mobile-savvy nature of Indonesian customers.

    “Lazada sees up to a quarter of a billion activities daily, which involve customers browsing for items, customers buying items, or even just adding things to their wish list,” Lazada’s SVP head of data science John Berns said.

    “It’s a remarkable scene, because Indonesia currently has about 70 million internet users, and will probably reach 100 million by the end of the year,” he added.

    To celebrate its fourth anniversary, Lazada Indonesia will have a sale from March 15 to March 18, which is expected to attract around 15 million visitors.

    Ekbom said that the e-commerce platform would offer up to 540,000 special deals for all customers during the sale, at discount rates of up to 90 percent, around three times more than what Lazada offered during its birthday sale in 2015.

    Brands that will participate in the sale include those in the IT, sports, automotive ad beauty product segments, including L’Oréal, Infinix, Panasonic, Lenovo, Samsung, Nike, Sharp and many more.

    Indonesia’s e-commerce market is forecast to grow to $25 billion this year from only $8 billion in 2013, according to e-commerce provider Vela Asia.

    A number of e-commerce players, both online retailers and marketplaces, plan to develop their businesses. Lippo Group has launched shopping website mataharimall.com and plans to invest $500 million. Existing marketplaces such as Bukalapak and Tokopedia have also secured some new funding.

    Lees ook:

  • Kadin Allows Uber and Grab Taxi to Operate in Indonesia

    Kadin Allows Uber and Grab Taxi to Operate in Indonesia

    The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has approved the operation of online-based transportation services, such as Grab Car and Uber. However, Kadin had put out several requirements that must be fulfilled by online-based transportation services before they can operate in Indonesia.

    “We, [the members of] Kadin appreciates technology that can facilitate and promote [a business]. However, its implementation must comply with the same rules,” said Adrianto Djokosoetono, Chairman of the Committee on Land Transportation of Kadin on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

    Adrianto stated that currently, there is no clear and binding regulation on transportation industry, especially to regulate companies from overseas like Uber and Grab Car. Therefore, Kadin requested the government to issue a regulation that applies to both online and offline transportation services.

    In addition, said Adrianto, Kadin also requested the government to establish a clear tax system for foreign transportation companies.

    Lees ook:

  • Tom Tailor China opens online

    Tom Tailor China opens online

    German fashion retailer Tom Tailor has opened an online store in China, using JD.com’s JD Worldwideplatform.

    Tom Tailor describes its first online shop in China as “another important milestone in Tom Tailor China’s expansion, following the opening of the first Tom Tailor retail store in Shanghai last November.

    The Tom Tailor online shop features products from across the Tom Tailor, Tom Tailor Denim andTom Tailor Contemporary ranges.

    “In order to expand our online presence with the umbrella brand Tom Tailor in China, JD.com, as China’s largest e-tailer, is an excellent partner,” said Erika Kirsten, Tom Tailor’s manager of corporate communications.

    “JD.com has a high-value user base. With 155 million active consumers across the country who appreciate its versatile product range and superior customer service, JD.com provides the optimal platform for launching Tom Tailor in the Chinese online market.”

    Josh Gartner, JD.com’s senior director of international communications, said apparel is one of the fastest growing categories on the JD.com platform, “because customers know that only JD.com can provide reliable and convenient access to the latest fashions from local and international brands with a 100 per cent guarantee of product quality and authenticity”.

    Tom Tailor China currently has one standalone physical retail store in China and 14 shops-in-shops.

    Tom Tailor targets people aged up to 40, with a focus on high-quality fabrics. Bonita, one of Germany’s leading fashion brand producers and retailers, has been a part of the Tom Tailor Group since August 2012. Bonita sells menswear and womenswear collections for the over 40 age group.

  • China completes drafting e-commerce law

    China completes drafting e-commerce law

    China has completed a draft version of the country’s first e-commerce law, a lawmaker said on Thursday.

    The draft will be submitted as early as possible to the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) for review, said Uzhitu, vice chairman of the committee.

    After that, the draft e-commerce law will be presented to the NPC Standing Committee for further reading, Xinhua news agency quoted Uzhitu as saying.

    The legislation is necessary to deal with new problems in data protection and infringements upon customers’ interests, he added.

    Lees ook:

  • China’s Alibaba signs 5-year loan deal

    China’s Alibaba signs 5-year loan deal

    China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd  said it has signed a deal for a $3 billion five-year loan, which will help the e-commerce giant as it snaps up stakes in companies within China and overseas.

    Alibaba, led by founder Jack Ma, has been expanding in areas beyond its core e-commerce base, such as online video, as volume growth in its online shopping business slows.

    The firm said in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it had signed the syndicated loan deal with a group of eight lead arrangers. It added that the amount could increase if there was steep demand.

    “The loan, which is subject to upsize through over subscriptions in syndication, has a five-year bullet maturity and is priced at 110 basis points over LIBOR,” the company said in the filing, referring to the benchmark interest rate used by many global banks when making loans.

    Alibaba added that the loan would be used for “general corporate purposes”, without expanding on what this meant.

    The Wall Street Journal cited sources last month saying Alibaba was in talks with several banks to borrow up to $4 billion to fund expansion plans, including acquisitions.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple Pay launched in China

    Apple Pay launched in China

    Apple has confirmed that its alliance with China’s state-owned bankcard association, China UnionPay, will allow the lender’s cardholders to use Apple Pay from 3rd week of February.

    The union between Apple and UnionPay was announced late last year, but was subject to various approvals.

    Shoppers around the world are being encouraged to use smartphones instead of cards to pay for in-store purchases.

    Alibaba’s Alipay currently dominates China’s electronic payments market.

    Apple confirmed its expansion into China on its website.

    “You can now support Apple Pay for your customers in China, providing an easy, secure, and private way for them to pay using their China UnionPay credit and debit cards,” the firm said.

    Apple’s head Tim Cook later announced the launch of Apple Pay in China early on Thursday via his Weibo account.

    Several reports have indicated that as many as 20 China-based lenders will be supporting Apple Pay, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).

    ICBC had not responded to written inquiries on Thursday, however.

    Growing market

    There has been a rapid take-up of smartphones in China, with an estimated 68% of the population now owning one – and digital wallets are becoming a more popular way to pay for goods and services.

    UnionPay’s alliance with Apple is an extension of its plans to make the most of that growing market.

    However, analyst Bryan Ma of research firm IDC told the BBC that Apple was likely to garner a smaller user base in China compared to competitors like AliPay and Tencent’s WeChat Payment.

    “This is in part because Alibaba and Tencent payment systems are used for more things, like money transfers, whereas Apple Pay might be limited to just retail point-of-sale and possibly App Store transactions for now,” he explained.

    “There will be a natural, gravitational pull though for some people to Apple Pay – particularly people in big cities – because of Apple’s brand. So they will be able to attract a selected customer base that way.”

    Mr Ma said another issue was that Apple Pay would use the Near Field Communication (NFC) method of contactless communication, rather than the barcode-like method of electronic payments using QR codes.

    QR codesImage copyrightCameron Spencer
    Image captionQR codes are used by a wider market because more phones can read them compared to phones that can read NFC tags, IDC’s Bryan Ma said

    QR codes were widely used by Apple Pay’s China-based competitors like Alipay, Mr Ma said, and could reach a wider market because more phones could read them compared to phones that could read NFC tags.

    By 2017 it is estimated the global mobile payments market will be worth some $1tn (£650bn).

    In addition to Apple Pay, Google’s Android Pay is available at more than one million locations in the US, while Samsung Pay was launched in South Korea in August, followed by a launch in the US the following month.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: