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Tag: E-Commerce

  • Budget e-commerce platform Temu enters Vietnam, Brunei after Indonesia ban

    Budget e-commerce platform Temu enters Vietnam, Brunei after Indonesia ban

    Chinese discount shopping site Temu has entered Vietnam and Brunei after facing a ban in Indonesia.

    But its entry into Vietnam was rushed, seeing as the Temu website in the country was initially only available in English.

    It also only accepts payments through credit cards and Google Pay, and no local digital wallets.

    The platform said shipping to Vietnam takes four to seven days, much faster than the five to 20 days for Malaysia or the Philippines, according to Singapore-based research firm Momentum Works.

    Meanwhile, Temu’s Brunei site is available in both English and that country’s official Malay language.

    Vietnam was the fastest-growing e-commerce market in Southeast Asia with a 53% year-on-year growth in gross merchandise value last year while Brunei has one of the world’s highest standards of living.

    The move to expand into these two Southeast Asian countries came after the site was banned from operating in Indonesia earlier this month.

    Budi Arie Setiadi, the country’s Minister of Communications and Informatics, said on Oct. 1 that the ban is in place to protect local micro, small and medium enterprises from being disrupted, as quoted by CNA.

    Indonesia has also requested Google and Apple to block Temu from their Indonesia app stores to prevent it from being downloaded, Reuters reported.

    The country’s e-commerce industry is projected to grow from US$62 billion in 2023 to approximately US$160 billion by 2030, according to a report by Google, Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings and consultancy Bain & Co.

    Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Temu is an online marketplace offering a variety of products at heavily discounted prices. It is owned by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings and currently operates in over 80 countries and territories.

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  • JD invests US$141 million in building fashion platform

    JD invests US$141 million in building fashion platform

    Chinese e-commerce giant JD has announced a RMB1 billion (US$141 million) investment in the expansion of its apparel business.

    The investment, a combination of financial capital and market resources, aims to broaden and enhance the range of fashion offerings, providing a significant boost for both domestic and international brands.

    The company plans to introduce a variety of new products via simultaneous launches from thousands of brands on JD’s online platform. These launches will be bolstered by enhanced marketing initiatives, partnerships with celebrities and designers, and cross-industry collaborations.

    As part of this investment, the ‘10-billion-yuan Discount’ program will offer customers a RMB30 discount on purchases of RMB300 or more.

    In addition, the company will collaborate with platforms such as Vogue and Xiaohongshu to unveil upcoming fall and winter fashion trends next month.

    Since the beginning of this year, JD has seen a 60 per cent increase in leading apparel and footwear brands and a 200 per cent increase in third-party apparel merchants. The company has signed partnerships with fashion groups, including Inditex, H&M, and Gap, and offers selections from over 90 per cent of global luxury brands.

  • Shopee admits to violating Indonesian monopoly laws

    Shopee admits to violating Indonesian monopoly laws

    Indonesia’s antitrust agency on Wednesday said in a statement that e-commerce firm Shopee had admitted to having violated a monopoly rule for its courier service in Indonesia.

    The agency also said Shopee has agreed to make adjustments to its operating practices.

    Shopee did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the agency’s statement.

    The agency, known as KPPU, had accused Shopee’s local unit of violating anti-competition rules by directing customers to use certain delivery services, one of which has a Shopee Indonesia executive on its board of directors.

    Shopee, the market leader in Indonesia’s fast-growing e-commerce sector, is owned by Southeast Asian technology firm Sea Ltd.

    Aside from Shopee, KPPU was also investigating the local unit of another e-commerce platform Lazada, the Southeast Asian arm of Alibaba.

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  • Temu moves closer to Brazil debut after securing tax benefit from government

    Temu moves closer to Brazil debut after securing tax benefit from government

    Chinese e-commerce retailer Temu has been certified for a tax benefit program by Brazil’s government that exempts goods up to $50 from import fees, according to the country’s federal revenue office’s website on Monday, bringing the company closer to expanding its business to Latin America’s largest economy.

    Why it’s important

    Inclusion in Brazil’s tax exemption program “Remessa Conforme” is an advantage most cross-border retailers have in the country. Local media have reported Temu has been preparing the groundwork to enter Brazilian markets for a few months, although little detail is known so far.

    Context

    Temu is a popular shopping app from China’s Pinduoduo. Its rivals Shein, from China, and Shopee, owned by Singapore’s Sea, are already huge online shopping platforms in Brazil.

    The response

    Temu did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Its Brazilian website address said on Monday that Temu’s services should be available “soon” in the South American country.

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  • Coupang launches overseas direct purchase service in Japan

    Coupang launches overseas direct purchase service in Japan

    Coupang customers in South Korea can now directly purchase products from Japan, thanks to the e-commerce platform’s expansion of its overseas direct purchase service.

    With Japanese products now available through the Rocket Jikgu direct purchase service, customers can now purchase food from brands such as Nissin, Meiji, LeTao, and AGF, and beauty items from brands such as Senka, Bioré, Fino, Tsubaki and P&G Japan.

    The platform will also offer home improvement brands Ishida and Joseph Joseph and stationery products from Zebra, Mitsubishi, and Pentel.

    The company first launched Rocket Jikgu in the US in 2017 and has expanded the direct purchase service since.

    The South Korean online retailing giant has then added China to its Rocket Jikgu network in 2021 and Hong Kong in 2022.

    Last year, the Japanese overseas direct purchase market grew by 11 percent, with food purchases surging about 45 percent.

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  • Flipkart invests US$54 million into Myntra

    Flipkart invests US$54 million into Myntra

    Myntra has secured a US$54 million investment from parent company Flipkart amid its tough competition with Reliance’s Ajio and Tata Cliq.

    This is Flipkart’s second investment in Myntra following $105 million in March last year.

    The new investment came as Walmart, Flipkart’s largest shareholder, committed $600 million to the India-headquartered parent company as part of a $1 billion funding round.

    Last July, Myntra commenced a restructuring program that included prioritising private labels over a wide range of in-house brands.

    Myntra currently has more than 420 global brands on its platform, up from 280 two years ago.

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  • Buy2sell Vietnam earns positive reviews from global partners

    Buy2sell Vietnam earns positive reviews from global partners

    Buy2sell Vietnam has received commendable reviews from international partners like Mykitkat, Leifredy, Kate of Tokyo, DrLoule, and Nunalin.

    In the dynamic realm of international commerce, Buy2sell Vietnam has emerged as one of the leading companies in importing and distributing goods and as a beacon of excellence garnering customer and supplier praise worldwide.

    In this narrative of success, the company has received many commendable reviews from esteemed international partners, including brands such as Mykitkat, Leifredy, Kate of Tokyo, DrLoule, and Nunalin.

    Mykitkat’s representative said that the firm had found an unparalleled partner in Buy2sell Vietnam. Its commitment to efficiency and market expertise has elevated the brand’s presence in Vietnam.

    “The transparent and trustworthy collaboration has expanded our reach and created a foundation for mutual success.”

    Another partner, Leifredy, has reviewed Buy2sell Vietnam as one of its privilege partners.

    “Their strategic market insights and commitment to excellence have significantly boosted our brand’s presence in the Vietnamese market. The efficiency of their distribution channels has broadened our reach and established a foundation of trust,” said Michael, CEO of Leifredy.

    Kate of Tokyo’s review of Buy2sell said it was the partner’s market expertise and dedication to innovation that seamlessly aligned with the brand’s vision.

    Lucy, Sales Director of Kate of Tokyo, and CEO Suyokama both said that Buy2sell’s efficient distribution networks have propelled their products into the hearts of Vietnamese consumers.

    They are not just a distributor but a true partner in the brand’s journey of success in Vietnam.

    “The efficiency of Buy2sell’s distribution channels has not only elevated Nunalin’s brand presence but has also played a pivotal role in meeting the diverse needs of the Vietnamese market. Buy2Sell is our great partnership,” said Shane, founder of Nualin.

    Lastly, there is DrLoule. They said that Buy2sell’s efficient distribution networks have expanded their reach and solidified their presence in the Vietnamese market.

    Collectively, these positive reviews from renowned international brands paint a vivid tapestry of success for Buy2sell Vietnam.

    The reviews from Mykitkat, Leifredy, Kate of Tokyo, and Nunalin stand as testimonials to the company’s unwavering commitment.

    “The trust and support from international partners underscore Buy2sell’s effectiveness in bridging the gap between suppliers and consumers, creating more success in the competitive world of international trade for Vietnam and Asia,” said Buy2sell Vietnam’s representative.

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  • JD.com partners with parcel company Evri in the UK

    JD.com partners with parcel company Evri in the UK

    JD.com is supporting the growth of British businesses in the Chinese market as it partnered with parcel delivery company Evri to combine their expertise and resources in e-commerce and logistics.

    The partnership will combine JD.com’s advanced e-commerce capabilities with Evri’s extensive delivery network across Europe. The services will include local pickup, warehousing, international transportation, access to Chinese bonded warehouses, customs clearance, and comprehensive delivery across China.

    The team-up will initially focus on the beauty and apparel sectors, where JD.com has substantial insights, including consumer behaviour, marketing and pricing strategies, product selection advice, and online operational strategies specific to the Chinese market.

    The collaboration will also enable JD Logistics to offer integrated warehousing and comprehensive delivery solutions to European clients by leveraging its self-operated overseas warehouses and Evri’s local distribution network.

    Qun Xue, Vice President of JD.com and Head of JD Logistics International said: “This partnership underscores our dedication to building a robust global logistics network and our commitment to the success of international brands.”

  • eBay fined $3M for harassment involving sending live cockroaches to Massachusetts couple

    eBay fined $3M for harassment involving sending live cockroaches to Massachusetts couple

    eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million penalty following a harassment campaign conducted by its employees involving the sending of live cockroaches to a Massachusetts couple.

    The U.S. Justice Department announced the fine last Thursday, attributing responsibility to eBay for the harassment campaign its employees executed against David and Ina Steiner, in 2019.

    This involved stalking the Steiners and sending them various disturbing items, including live cockroaches, a pig mask covered in fake blood, and a funeral wreath.

    It started with Ina Steiner publishing an article about eBay suing Amazon for poaching their sellers in 2019, which prompted Devin Wenig, then CEO of eBay, to express his desire to “take down” Ina Steiner in text messages to some company executives.

    Subsequently, Jim Baugh, who was eBay’s Senior Director of Safety and Security at the time, together with six other security employees, initiated a campaign of harassment against the couple.

    In addition to the $3 million fine, eBay must organize staff training and improve its corporate culture to prevent similar incidents.

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  • Indonesia’s GoTo in talks with TikTok over potential e-commerce partnership

    Indonesia’s GoTo in talks with TikTok over potential e-commerce partnership

    Indonesia’s biggest tech firm GoTo Gojek Tokopedia said on Friday it was in talks with short video app TikTok over a potential e-commerce partnership in the Southeast Asian country.

    No final deal has been reached, GoTo added in a statement. The company also said the discussions did not include a takeover plan or any sale of more than 50 per cent of its shares to any party.

    Indonesia in October banned online shopping on social media platforms to protect smaller merchants and users’ data, after which TikTok had to close its e-commerce service TikTok Shop. TikTok has 125 million users in the country.

    Indonesia’s small and medium enterprises minister Teten Masduki told Reuters in November that TikTok had spoken to five companies including GoTo, Bukalapak.com and Blibli about possible partnership.

    Bloomberg earlier this week said TikTok had struck an agreement to invest in a unit of GoTo, citing people familiar with the matter.

    Indonesia’s e-commerce market is expected to grow to around $160 billion by 2030 from $62 billion this year, according to a report on Southeast Asia’s internet economy by Google, Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings and consultancy Bain & Co.

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  • Half of Vietnamese population shops online

    Half of Vietnamese population shops online

    More than half of Vietnam’s population shopped online last year as both supply and demand in the e-commerce sector continue to boom.

    Dang Anh Dung, deputy CEO of Lazada Vietnam, told the forum on e-commerce on Tuesday that a report by Google and Temaske & Bain said around 57 million Vietnamese made online purchases last year, most of them in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City.

    The report also asserted that Vietnam’s young population is playing an important role in the digital economy.

    Around 43% of Lazada shoppers are Gen-Zers born in 1997 or later, said the deputy CEO of the digital shopping channel that has been called “The Amazon of Southeast Asia.”

    According to Dung, this demographic in Vietnam accesses the app every day.

    On average, each individual in this young Vietnamese population bracket buys products from seven different categories, Dung told the conference. “Young people are becoming more particular with their products. They seek values and will change brands if they receive low-quality items.”

    Tran Van Trong, general secretary of the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), said Vietnam is seeing a boom in e-commerce as the number of online shopper surges with improving shopping skills and increasing purchase value.

    The rise in demand has also prompted supply surges, he said. “Millions of people are now online sellers, and the majority of them do not even own a brick-and-mortar store.”

    Businesses are evolving fast to adapt to new ways of selling products, Tand said, adding that many retail firms are responding to the changing times by issuing new policies on online shopping.

    The government has also tightened e-commerce tax collection and is punishing those who sell counterfeit products, he pointed out.

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade recently reported that Vietnam’s e-commerce gross merchandise value is growing by 16-30% a year and could reach $20.5 billion this year.

    The Google report said that Vietnam’s digital economy could reach a total value of $30 billion this year, and $45 billion by 2025.

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  • Lazada Group and Seoul Business Agency sign strategic partnership

    Lazada Group and Seoul Business Agency sign strategic partnership

    Lazada Group and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to allow South Korean SMEs to expand into the Southeast Asia market.

    The SBA will take the lead in promoting Lazada as a prominent Southeast Asian e-commerce marketplace destination among SMEs in Seoul under the terms of this partnership. The collaboration will begin in Singapore, where the SBA and Lazada will collaborate to onboard and nurture chosen new cross-border sellers from Seoul onto the Lazada Singapore platform.

    “This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to offering buyers an extensive variety of products but also reinforces our dedication to fostering cross-border shopping and welcoming brands and sellers from across the globe to our e-commerce ecosystem,” said Jason Chen, chief business officer, Lazada Group and CEO, Lazada Singapore

    “South Korean SMEs have much to offer, and together with Seoul Business Agency, we aim to unlock their potential in Southeast Asia.”

    This agreement intends to expand chances for South Korean businesses and empower them to grow the Southeast Asian digital commerce arena by utilising Lazada’s technology, resources, and solutions. This will also broaden the selection of items and brand alternatives available to Lazada customers.

    According to Bloomberg, e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group Holding spent an additional US$845 million on its Southeast Asia affiliate Lazada in July, despite the region’s tough competition.

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  • Indonesia bans e-commerce transactions on social media

    Indonesia bans e-commerce transactions on social media

    Indonesia has banned e-commerce transactions on social media platforms, the trade minister said on Wednesday, in a blow to short video app TikTok, which is doubling down on Southeast Asia’s biggest economy to boost its e-commerce business.

    The government said the move, which takes effect immediately, is aimed at protecting offline merchants and marketplaces, adding that predatory pricing on social media platforms is threatening small and medium-sized enterprises.

    The move comes just three months after TikTok pledged to invest billion of dollars in Southeast Asia, mainly in Indonesia, over the next few years in a major push to build its e-commerce platform TikTok Shop.

    TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has US$125 million active monthly users in Indonesia and has been looking to translate the large user base into a major e-commerce revenue source.

    A TikTok Indonesia spokesperson said it would pursue a constructive path forward and was “deeply concerned” with the announcement, “particularly how it would impact the livelihoods of the 6 million” local sellers active on TikTok Shop.

    Indonesia Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan on Wednesday told reporters that the regulation is intended to ensure “fair and just” business competition, adding that it was also intended to ensure data protection of users.

    He warned of letting social media become an e-commerce platform, shop, and bank all at the same time.

    The new regulation also requires e-commerce platforms in Indonesia to set a minimum price of $100 for certain items that are directly purchased from abroad, according to the regulation document reviewed by Reuters, and that all products offered should meet local standards.

    Zulkifli said TikTok had one week to comply with the regulation or face the threat of closure. Indonesia Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga earlier this month named TikTok’s live streaming features as an example of people selling goods on social media.

    Research firm BMI said TikTok would be the only business affected by the transaction ban and the move was unlikely to harm the digital marketplace industry’s growth.

    Indonesia’s e-commerce market is dominated by the likes of homegrown tech firm GoTo’s Tokopedia, Sea’s Shopee and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s Lazada.

    E-commerce transactions in Indonesia amounted to nearly $52 billion last year and of that, 5 per cent took place on TikTok, according to data from consultancy Momentum Works.

    Indonesia is among the few markets where TikTok has launched TikTok Shop, as it seeks to leverage its large user base in the country.

    Its 125 million active monthly users in Indonesia is almost on par with its user figures for Europe and behind US users of more than 150 million. TikTok launched an online shopping service in the United States earlier this month.

    Reactions from retailers were mixed.

    Fahmi Ridho, a vendor selling clothes on TikTok, said the platform was a way for stores to recover from the blow dealt by the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “Sales don’t have to be necessarily through (brick and mortar) shops, you can do it online or wherever. … Everything will still have a portion,” he said.

    But Edri, who goes by one name only and sells clothes at a major wholesale market in Jakarta, agreed with the regulation and stressed that there should be limits on items sold online.

  • Indonesia to ban online shopping via social media

    Indonesia to ban online shopping via social media

    Indonesia’s government is preparing to introduce a series of new business regulations that will prohibit the sale of products via social media. During a parliamentary hearing, the Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister, Jerry Sambuaga, announced this.

    “Social media and social commerce cannot be combined,” the official said, reiterating the government’s intention to crack down on “predatory” practices of sellers on social media, which would threaten offline markets in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The deputy minister cited as an example the use of the “live” function for the sale of goods via the social media platform TikTok: “The revisions to the trade regulations currently underway will prohibit these practices firmly and explicitly,” said Sambuaga.

    The representative of TikTok Indonesia, Anggini Setiawan, he responded this morning, saying that separating social media and e-commerce into separate platforms would impede competition. TikTok has 2 million sellers in Indonesia, and has previously reported that it has no plans for a dedicated platform for cross-border trade of Chines

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  • Gucci launches flagship store on JD platform

    Gucci launches flagship store on JD platform

    Gucci and JD.com are delighted to announce a digital partnership and the highly anticipated launch of the official Gucci digital flagship store on the e-commerce leader’s platform. This marks the first time the Italian luxury brand will bring its unique fashion authority and 102-year-old legacy of Italian craftsmanship to the JD.com community.

    Users searching for “Gucci” within the JD.com app will be invited to explore the House’s official flagship store and shop for their favorite items. This will also include a full range experience of Gucci brand services, all within a seamless and secure digital ecosystem. An exceptional customer experience is at the heart of this new collaboration, where customers can browse the store’s extensive range of timeless icons and new-season ready-to-wear, handbags, travel, shoes, jewelry, watches, and accessories for men and women. They will also have special access to Gucci’s online client advisor service before ordering their desired products.

    The opening of the new digital flagship store marks a milestone in the partnership between Gucci and JD.com and underscores their commitment to digital innovation. In response to the evolving digital ecosystem, JD.com continuously delivers cutting-edge digital solutions to fulfill diverse needs. This includes the development of diversified models tailored for the luxury industry, leveraging its state-of-the-art supply chain capabilities and open ecosystem. With the launch of its new online environment on JD.com, Gucci will elevate shopping experiences that are tailored to the tastes of JD.com’s customer base and further explore the unique digital landscape of China using both brands’ respective technological strengths to set a new standard in online luxury shopping, expand their market reach, and pioneer original approaches to digital marketing.

    In celebration of the upcoming Chinese Valentine’s Day on August 22, Gucci’s official flagship store on JD.com will offer a selection of gifts that showcase the House’s exquisite craftsmanship and romantic aesthetic. Featuring floral motifs symbolizing the blossoming of love and emotions, the collection will also present a purse designed exclusively for JD.com customers to celebrate this special occasion. To enhance the moment, customers will also be abl

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