Shopee, Meta, launch affiliate partnerships on Instagram in Asia

- Affiliate partnerships on Instagram are available for creators across Southeast Asia and Taiwan

- Builds on the success of Facebook affiliate partnerships

- Creators can earn commissions by sharing Shopee products on Instagram

Creators in Southeast Asia and Taiwan will be some of the first outside of the US to sign up for affiliate partnerships from Shopee on Instagram.

Source: Shopee and Meta. Shopee and Meta today announced the launch of affiliate partnerships on
Instagram for creators across Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

The initiative from Shopee and Meta enables eligible creators in these locations to connect their Shopee affiliate account to Instagram, discover Shopee’s affiliate products and share recommendations with their audiences through Instagram Reels and Feed content. When Instagram viewers complete qualifying purchases on Shopee, the creators are eligible to earn commissions. 

The expansion builds on the success of Facebook affiliate partnerships, launched in 2025. As of March 2026, more than 5 million creators globally have connected their Facebook account to their Shopee affiliate account, with around 50% of onboarded creators new to the Shopee Affiliate Program. These numbers highlight the partnership’s success in attracting and enabling a new generation of affiliate creators.

Through this partnership, Meta and Shopee are making it easier for creators to monetise product recommendations, while helping shoppers discover relevant products through the content they already engage with. 

“Our success with Meta on Facebook affiliate partnerships has shown how powerful creator-led commerce can be when content, trust and shopping come together. We are excited to build on this momentum with Instagram, giving creators more ways to earn from product recommendations across Reels and Feed, while helping shoppers discover and purchase Shopee products more seamlessly. 

"This is part of Shopee’s broader commitment to supporting creators, sellers and brands as content becomes an increasingly important part of the online shopping journey,” said Peggy Zhu, Executive Director, Brand and Growth Marketing at Shopee.

With affiliate partnerships on Instagram, eligible creators can:

● Connect their Shopee affiliate account to their Instagram professional account

● Discover and select Shopee affiliate products to recommend in Reels and Feed content 

● Showcase multiple products in a single piece of content, with a shopping icon and a “commission eligible” label, enabling viewers to easily identify featured products and enjoy a more seamless journey from discovery on Instagram to checkout on Shopee

 ● Earn commissions when viewers complete qualifying purchases on Shopee 

Early signals from the initial Instagram Reels rollout have also been encouraging. Across markets, creators have shown strong early interest in using short-form content to share product recommendations with their audiences. 

Meta and Shopee are committed to protecting user data. Account linking and affiliate activity data are processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, and creators maintain control over their connected accounts at all times.

“As a creator, I’ve always used Instagram Reels to share product recommendations in a way that feels personal and useful for my followers. Affiliate partnerships on Instagram make this even easier because I can add Shopee products directly to my Reels, helping viewers find what I’m recommending more quickly. It also gives me more opportunities to earn from the content I already enjoy creating,” shared Ekida (@ekidarehanf), a content creator from Indonesia.

Shopee and Meta are also testing an affiliate ad solution in a limited rollout starting with selected Southeast Asia markets, with a view to expanding over the coming months. With the creator's consent, Shopee sellers and brands can amplify select affiliate content as clearly-labelled paid promotions, with Meta's ad system helping to reach relevant audiences. This gives sellers and brands a seamless way to amplify creator content that is already resonating with audiences, driving greater reach and return on investment. 

"By bringing affiliate partnerships to Instagram with Shopee, we're creating more opportunities for creators to earn from the content they love making, while helping businesses of all sizes reach new customers. The strong adoption we've seen on Facebook shows the real demand for tools that turn creative content into meaningful commerce," said Nicole Tan, MD, Meta Singapore. 

Details 

Affiliate partnerships on Instagram with Shopee in Asia are now available to eligible creators in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Singtel launches TikTok masterclass for SMEs

Singtel has launched a TikTok masterclass – a brand-building and e-commerce enablement programme, aimed at helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) strengthen their digital presence, connect with customers more effectively, and capture growth opportunities in the digital economy.

Developed in partnership with SIM Academy, the masterclass will equip local enterprises with practical skills to create impactful content, leverage social platforms for business growth, and navigate the opportunities and risks of social commerce. The initiative is supported by SkillsFuture Singapore. Eligible participants from qualifying SMEs can get up to 90% funding for this programme.

Participants will receive hands-on training in content creation, livestream selling, e-commerce activation and cybersecurity – critical capabilities in today’s fast-evolving, mobile-first marketplace. Participants will also benefit from post-workshop support, including engagement with retail merchants to aid e-commerce transition and potential co-marketing opportunities.

Ng Tian Chong, CEO of Singtel Singapore, said, “With Asia’s young, mobile-first population and growing appetite for social commerce, it’s vital that our SMEs are equipped with smarter, faster ways to reach their customers. Singtel is proud to provide SMEs with the digital tools, platforms and training to grow and compete in today’s connected world. Our new TikTok Masterclass is the latest in our series of efforts to help SMEs achieve more in the digital economy."

Ho Seong Kim, CEO of SIM Academy added: “At SIM Academy, we focus on delivering applied, outcome-driven learning through learner-centric course design. The TikTok Masterclass reflects our commitment to equipping businesses with practical skills for their business outcomes in today’s fast-changing digital economy.”

The three-day TikTok Masterclass includes three key components: 

• Training: Learn content creation, TikTok shop setup, and social selling techniques tailored for business growth on social platforms. 

• Application: Gain practical, hands-on experience at Singtel’s TikTok Creator House, located at its 313@Somerset flagship store. Participants will get two hours’ complimentary use of the professional-grade studio to create and livestream content in a simulated selling environment. 

• Cyber awareness: Develop an understanding of cybersecurity best practices for digital marketing and TikTok, to ensure safe and responsible online engagement. 

As of 2023, 82% of SMEs in Singapore had adopted at least one digital solution, with 91% having started their digital journey – leading the Asia Pacific region. Despite this progress, fewer than half report fully successful implementation, underscoring the need for continued guidance and support.

This masterclass is part of Singtel’s commitment to help SMEs digitalise, innovate and grow. In September 2023, Singtel introduced Cyber Elevate to help businesses bolster their cyber resilience, followed by the SPEED programme in April 2025, which supports SMEs in digitalising their operations and aligning them with sustainability goals.

As a SkillsFuture Queen Bee, Singtel plays a pivotal role in enabling enterprises – especially SMEs – to upskill, digitalise and innovate. Its end-to-end solutions – spanning mobility and connectivity, to cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT) and collaboration tools – are tailored to evolving business needs, helping SMEs scale sustainably. 

Details

The programme fee is S$3,000 per participant (before GST), with up to 90% funding available for eligible businesses under the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs programme, supported by SkillsFuture Singapore. To qualify, companies must meet the following requirements: 

• Be registered and incorporated in Singapore 

• Have a minimum 30% local shareholding by Singapore citizens or PRs 

• Have an annual sales turnover of not more than S$100 M or employment size of fewer than 200 employees 

Singtel plans to conduct 24 masterclasses over two years, with each class accommodating approximately 15 SMEs. Businesses interested in the programme can register their interest at https://www.singtel.com/business/smb/solutions/tiktok-masterclass

K-brand IP protection MoU signed with Shopee

Intellectual property (IP) infringement issues have grown in tandem with the global e-commerce market, which expanded in value from US$2.9 T in 2018 to US$5.8 T in 2023, an average annual growth rate of 14.6%. According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), intellectual property infringement cases through e-commerce increased approximately 2.5x in 2023 compared to 2018. The Asian and Latin American regions showed the highest proportion of counterfeit product distribution. Korean products have become major targets due to their brand value and scarcity. 

The Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (KOIPA) has been particularly concerned. According to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, the scale of counterfeit products infringing Korean companies' IP rights reached approximately US$9.7 B globally as of 2021, equivalent to 1.5% of Korea's total exports. This resulted in Korean companies losing sales of US$6.1 B, and the loss of 13,855 manufacturing jobs. 

This has led to work with major e-commerce platforms like Shopee as they play a crucial role in strengthening K-brand protection. KOIPA's Director Kim Yong-seon recently announced that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Shopee's Singapore headquarters on June 24. Building upon the original MOU signed in 2020, this renewed agreement encompasses significantly expanded cooperation to protect Korean brands and sellers in the region, including offline enforcement linkages for fundamental solutions to counterfeit product distribution. 

The MOU consists of three major cooperation areas: 

Strengthening the response system for intellectual property infringement of Korean brands

Shopee will collaborate with KOIPA to provide easy access for monitoring and reporting of suspected IP infringements involving Korean brands, in accordance with agreed protocols.

Offline enforcement collaboration to block counterfeit product distribution 

To overcome the limitations of online anti-counterfeit enforcement and to strengthen efforts to prevent the distribution of counterfeit goods, both parties agree to explore and implement joint response measures when necessary.

Expand educational activities to raise awareness of intellectual property protection 

Both organisations plan to jointly conduct education and awareness-raising activities to improve intellectual property protection consciousness among both sellers and consumers. 

Kim emphasised: "We are pleased to establish a cooperation system for K-brand protection with Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. We will actively support our companies' overseas expansion and export activities by expanding cooperation with other major global e-commerce platforms.”

“Shopee is proud to renew and strengthen our partnership with KOIPA to better safeguard Korean brands in our region,” said Ian Ho, VP at Shopee. 

“As e-commerce continues to grow, it is more important than ever to work closely with trusted partners like KOIPA to enhance IP enforcement and build a secure and trustworthy environment for all users.”

Source: Shopee. Changho Son, Director General of KOIPA (left) and Ian Ho, VP at Shopee (right) at the MoU signing on 24 June 2025 at Shopee Singapore. The MoU covers the strengthening of IP protection for Korean brands in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

Taobao Malaysia holds first Raya sale

Source: Taobao Malaysia Instagram page. Duit Raya is up for grabs on Wednesdays in March.

Taobao Malaysia is ushering in its first-ever sales campaign dedicated to the Ramadhan and Raya season. Running throughout March, the month-long campaign features promotions, daily free shipping vouchers, and curated festive essentials.

Following the successful introduction of its English interface in September last year, Taobao Malaysia continues its commitment to making the platform more accessible to local users with tailored shopping solutions and promotions via the Raya campaign.

Jess Lew, Country Head of Taobao Malaysia said: "We are thrilled to celebrate one of our country's biggest festive moments together with our first-ever Raya campaign. We have prepared an abundance of promotions to make it easier and more rewarding for our customers to shop for their festive needs. With the successful implementation of the English interface, we can further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that everyone can easily access the Taobao platform and shop effortlessly."

Serikan Rumah untuk Raya & Balik Kampung Essentials runs from 9 to 22 March. There will be discounts on décor, furniture, lighting, carpets and travel essentials like suitcases. 

The Last Call Raya Sale will be held from 23 to 31 March.

On top of these shoppers have the chance to grab a limited-time offer, and an RMB35 voucher (equivalent to RM21) to enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend required during this promotion period. For first-time Taobao shoppers, deals for as low as RMB1 (equivalent to RM0.62) are up for grabs. 

Taobao Malaysia is also introducing the Spend & Win Duit Raya promotion. Shoppers stand a chance to win up to RMB50 (equivalent to RM30) in duit Raya every Wednesday in March at 12 pm when they make a purchase, with 100 winners per day. The duit Raya will be in the form of a cashback amount, and equivalent to the amount shoppers spend, capped at RMB50 (equivalent to RM30).

"We hope to build a more holistic shopping environment with the promise of delivering our biggest promotion in Malaysia ever. We believe Malaysians will be able to save more and enjoy more this festive season," said Lew.

Explore

The Taobao app is available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

Watch the associated video at https://www.tiktok.com/@taobao.malaysia/video/7478181353075313927

*Platform rules will prevail over the specific promotion details.

Samsung Shop App debuts in Singapore

Samsung Electronics has launched the Samsung Shop App in Singapore, bringing consumers and Samsung fans an elevated, simplified online shopping journey.

The Samsung Shop App gives users access to app-only offers, personalised promotions, as well as updates on the latest Samsung deals via in-app notifications.

Flexible payment options such as easy instalment payments simplify the purchase process. Users can easily view delivery details and get access to real-time tracking for their orders. Users can also benefit from the Samsung Rewards programme, which lets users earn and redeem points on every purchase made through the Samsung Shop App.

“Singapore consumers are increasingly looking for convenience and value in their shopping journey, even for higher-priced items like electronic products, with many turning to online shopping to simplify their experience. A recent Samsung study* unveiled that almost half of consumers in the Southeast Asia and Oceania region (43%) bought electronic devices or home appliances online in the past three months,” said Dennis Jang, President of Samsung Electronics Singapore.

“With the Samsung Shop App, we aim to bring users with a seamless shopping experience, offering them with the convenience and value that they seek to help elevate their work and play.”

The Samsung Shop App will provide users with:

An optimised mobile shopping experience

The Samsung Shop App will be available on all Android devices, with a mobile-optimised, intuitive user interface. The app will feature a curated selection of the latest Samsung consumer electronics products available for purchase through the app, with the catalogue of products available for purchase to be expanded in the months to come.

Real-time order status updates

Customers who make purchases on the Samsung Shop App can view details of orders made and receive real-time delivery notifications. They are entitled to free shipping and returns for all purchases.

Personalised recommendations

The Samsung Shop App will be able to offer personalised content and recommendations for Samsung products, including easy comparisons between users’ current devices and the latest models offered, as well as accessories for owned products.

Samsung Rewards

Shop on Samsung Shop App and earn up to 5% of the spend back in Samsung Rewards points on eligible purchases. Samsung Rewards gives users even more perks and deals with bonus points offers and point redemption for discounts.

In-app promotions

Samsung customers and users will be able to take advantage of discounts and promotions offered exclusively on the Samsung Shop App. From now until 31 March 2024, Samsung Shop App users will receive 10% off any first purchase on the app**, with more exclusive app offers to come.

Details

The Samsung Shop App is available on the Google Play Store.

*The study was conducted in August 2023 by Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania with over 2,600 respondents across eight markets in the region.

**Terms and conditions apply.

Artisan Nook aims to empower women

E-commerce platform and community for women by women Artisan Nook has launched. The platform is founded on the principle of creating positive social change in society by empowering women to achieve a sense of self, financial independence and create a personal legacy.

Said Reena Yin, Founder of Artisan Nook: “Artisan Nook is about giving women an opportunity to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, create their own legacies and at the same time, leave a positive impact that lasts for future generations. We want to empower women by offering an accessible platform. I hope to uplift and inspire women in the community such as the neighbour next door and friends who are stay-at-home mums and mid-career movers to achieve financial independence and work-life balance while celebrating their individuality.”

Artisan Nook welcomes entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses, and also offers resources from marketing to packaging and delivery logistics for those who need additional support. The platform will also work towards building its community of women entrepreneurs and business leaders and will organise events such as mentorship, networking and knowledge sharing sessions.

Criteo releases guide for Chinese New Year retail sales in 2023

Criteo, the commerce media company, has released 2022 Chinese New Year (CNY) insights to enable retailers to forecast consumer demand and ensure that they can tap onto the same trends for 2023.

Starting from January 2022, retail sales performed above baseline levels (average during 18 – 31 December 2021) until a week before CNY 2022 (February 1), reflecting positive purchasing momentum in consumers. In Southeast Asia (SEA), retail sales peaked at 27% on 25 January, a week before CNY, signalling that consumers in the region continue to shop for festive needs close to CNY and expect retailers to be able to meet any last-minute demands. Retail sales in the Greater China region (GCR) increased by 40% compared to last two weeks of December 2021.

Consumers would have already been familiar with e-commerce shopping due to the pandemic and the increase signifies their comfort levels with diversifying their purchase options. CNY 2022 saw consumers in SEA utilising other platforms besides physical shopping for their festive needs. In the GCR, app sales saw a significant increase two weeks before the event while SEA realised double-digit increases in all site types, with desktop sales recording the highest uplift.

In SEA, desktop sales saw an increase of 58%, app sales also increased by 29%, and mobile web sales rose by 30%. GCR, on the other hand, experienced a desktop sales rise of 50%, app sales up by 120%, and higher mobile web sales (+57%).

The share of mobile transactions performed slightly higher than the base period during the one-week window before CNY 2022 (12% increase in SEA, 9% increase in Singapore, 10% increase in GCR, 19% increase in Vietnam).

Retail categories continue to record improved sales performance in 2022:

Fashion performed above baseline on the way to CNY 2022, SEA’s highest increase was 24%, GCR was 34%, Singapore was 37% and Vietnam was 41%.

The food and groceries category doubled before CNY 2022, showing a notable uplift compared to the average during the last two weeks of December 2021. The highest increases occurred two weeks before the event for both GCR (103% increase) and SEA (86% increase).

The health and beauty category saw an 86% increase in SEA and a 103% increase in GCR; electronics saw a 30% increase in SEA and a 60% increase in Vietnam; and items in the home and garden category saw a 94% uplift in GCR.

“Chinese New Year is anticipated to bring about a surge in consumer spending and retailers must be prepared to capitalise on this opportunity. Brands and retailers have had a front row seat to the changes in consumer behaviour and needs over the past few years and will do well to act on these insights,” said Taranjeet Singh, Criteo's MD, Southeast Asia and India. 

“As we approach this festive season, it’s imperative for brands and retailers to consider adopting a refreshed advertising strategy that will enable them to maximise outreach to their target audience across different platforms.”

Criteo noted that consumers are concerned about inflation and rising cost of living in 2023, giving rise to the savvy shopper who will be finding ways to get the best bang for their buck. The company named five trends that retailers should take note of:

- Consumers are heading online to search for the best deal despite the return of in-store shopping. According to Criteo’s research, consumers are taking the hybrid path of purchasing and want the best of both worlds; while returning to stores, they still rely on retailer websites and mobile applications to supplement their shopping experience. 

Four in five consumers experience a significant improvement or some improvement in searching online for products which they intend to buy, indicating that consumers appreciate relevant and personalised advertising and ultimately ensuring greater reach from new and existing shoppers.

- Consumers will still purchase items they love. Consumers have no choice but to spend more on non-negotiables like mortgages or food, but a majority are still purchasing the goods and experiences they want most.

- Consumers are now planning ahead and thinking of what to buy in bulk to maximise their spending power and make use of cost savings.

- Consumers believe that deals should not come at the expense of quality. Though saving money is top of mind, shoppers still want great products that are made to last.

- They want more from brands than just discounts. Alignment with a brand’s values and loyalty programmes are strong motivators for shoppers to make a purchase right now.

With these insights in mind, retailers should keep these best practices in mind to maximise consumer traction for CNY 2023:

- Commerce media is being positioned as the 4th wave of digital advertising and has the power to reach and engage consumers where they’re actively browsing and buying. As such, emerging environments such as retail media will continue gaining traction in 2023. 

While retail media refers to the advertising placed on a retailer’s e-commerce site or app by a brand to influence the customer at the point of purchase, commerce media is more inclusive and incorporates elements from retail media, performance marketing, and brand marketing.

- Savvy retailers know that they will need to continue expanding their media offerings to own their end-to-end customer journey, and marketers will keep investing in retail media because it works.  

- A seamless hybrid shopping experience. If retailers can provide consumers with a smooth shopping experience, they will create loyalty and trust. Some measures include introducing innovative and practical customer services, such as BORIS (buy online, return in-store); this easy return policy is a top reason why consumers decide to purchase a product when shopping online.

- Appropriately targeting ads to target audiences. Retailers may ensure a greater reach from new and existing consumers by optimising data and analytics on their websites and apps, allowing for targeted ads at the point of purchase, subsequently influencing sale convergence online.

YouTrip launches user referral programme

Source: YouTrip. YouTrip has launched a referral programme where users earn S$5 with each successful referral. Those referred also receive S$5.

YouTrip, Singapore's leading multi-currency mobile wallet, is gearing for growth with its biggest user referral programme since its launch in 2018.

From 30 March 2021, YouTrip users will earn S$5 with each successful referral, along with a S$50 bonus when they complete their first 10 referrals.

Despite the pandemic’s impact on global travel, YouTrip saw a 300% increase in overseas e-commerce payments last year after pivoting to promote international online shopping with payments in foreign currencies at sites such as Taobao (RMB), ASOS (British pounds), and Amazon (US$).

Caecilia Chu, Co-Founder, and CEO of YouTrip, said “Our users have always been our best spokespersons, and word of mouth has naturally been a huge part of our growth over the years. Despite travel coming to a standstill over the last year, many of our users have continued to use YouTrip to save on their foreign currency spending online.

"As more people make foreign currency payments online, we feel we’re in a good position to reward our existing users who continue to support us, along with those who come on board.”

To receive referral rewards, existing YouTrip users must copy the unique referral link generated in the YouTrip app and send it to anyone who isn’t already a YouTrip user. New users will have to accept the invite via the unique referral link and sign up for a YouTrip account.

Both referrer and referee will receive S$5 in their YouTrip accounts upon the first successful top-up. In addition, existing users will receive a one-time S$50 bonus upon completing their first 10 referrals, and will continue to receive S$5 per referral thereafter.

As a launch exclusive, the first 250 users to complete three successful referrals will also enjoy an additional S$15 bonus.

The launch of the referral programme is part of YouTrip’s plans to be the region’s leading multicurrency mobile wallet. Most recently, YouTrip announced a six-year partnership with Visa to accelerate its expansion into the rest of Southeast Asia, starting with Malaysia and the Philippines.

Currently operating in Singapore and Thailand, YouTrip has amassed over 1 million downloads to date.

Details:

Read the terms & conditions for the referral programme.

Capture retail interest through apps, promotions before a holiday

Criteo has seen a significant shift from websites to apps for online shopping. The company observed a 25% drop in web traffic but a 4% uplift in app traffic, with highest increases observed in Thailand (18%) and Singapore (9%).

- Absolute app traffic volume saw an increase in all Southeast Asian countries, with Singapore (207%) and Indonesia (128%) in the lead.

- In terms of year-on-year growth (baseline: October 2020), Thailand and Singapore saw the highest increases in indexed sales in the app environment, of 12% and 10% respectively.

Chinese New Year also saw an uplift for retail. Criteo said Thailand and Singapore experienced the highest increase in absolute sales volume, of 110% and 86% respectively, and that there were consistent upward surges in retail sales across Southeast Asia.

Criteo recommends that retailers ramp up on promotions and explore new ways of engagement with consumers 20 to five days before Chinese New Year, as well as from the 3rd day of the festive event, as there is a lull during the holiday itself. The company suggests considering mobile apps as a channel, and livestreams as well as time-sensitive promotions as possible promotions.

*Statistics from sales/traffic data via 71 retailers across six markets in Southeast Asia, with 260 billion visits and 3 million transactions analysed by Criteo.

Shopee's 12.12: 12 million items sold in 24 minutes

Shopee, the e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, has broken records with its 12.12 Birthday Sale this year. On 12 December, 12 million items were sold in the first 24 minutes and at its peak, 1 million items were bought in a single minute. One top seller even recorded S$1 million in sales within 24 hours on 12 December.

Zhou Junjie, Chief Commercial Officer at Shopee said, “We are humbled to end the year on a high note with a groundbreaking 12.12 Birthday Sale. Given the unprecedented year that 2020 has been, we wanted our fifth birthday to be a special day not just for Shopee but for the people we serve. E-commerce has become of increasing importance in our lives and has evolved beyond a platform to access basic needs to one that connects people and businesses. We are glad to have been able to celebrate the past five years with our users, sellers, and brand partners and are truly excited for what is to come."

Users joined Shopee every day for four weeks of fun and entertainment leading to 12 December, where they shopped from over 2 billion products. Consumers spent more time on Shopee’s in-app games and features:

- Shopee Live saw 450 million views over the entire 12.12

- Shopee’s in-app games were played a record of 2.7 billion times

- Two of Shopee’s newest games, Shopee Bubble and Shopee Candy were a big hit, with a total of 28 million hours played

The surge in shopping activity was also met with more digital payments. In particular, users enjoyed the convenience of Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet ShopeePay, with orders paid via the mobile wallet surging 18 times from an average day.

In Singapore, Shopee's 12.12 highlights included:

- The number of home decor items sold could decorate 55,000 households.

- In the Mobile & Gadgets category, 3,000 smartphones were sold in 24 hours.

- The best-selling brands were adidas, Roborock, and Kinohimitsu.

- The hottest keywords were “Christmas gift”, “airfryer”, and “bicycle”

- Most popular for male shoppers: Car accessories, alcoholic beverages, and baby products.

- Most popular for female shoppers: Essential oils and clothes.

Zhou concluded, “We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support that our users, sellers and brand partners have shown us. As we look ahead, we are committed to continue meeting the needs of our local communities, making online shopping accessible, easy and enjoyable for users and helping businesses realise the growth opportunities for e-commerce in the region. We look forward to continue creating new experiences and value for everyone in 2021.”

Explore:

Shop from the 12.12 Thank You Sale

Download the Shopee app for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Giftano enhances gifting experience

Giftano, an online gifting marketplace in Singapore, has launched a 360 online gifting e-shop that provides a full gifting experience for both gift-giver and recipient. Giftano Gifts, featuring physical gifts, joins the existing Giftano Gift Cards range.

Giftano now offers online personalised service throughout the gifting process. To ensure customers get the best online user experience in time for Christmas, Giftano has enhanced its platform with a more intuitive search engine and added functionality to support custom gift cards and choice of delivery mode. Customers are recommended gift ideas by Giftano’s newly enhanced search function. Purchases can be made with just a click, packaged and accompanied by a personalised physical greeting card, and then sent to the recipient, some even on the same day.

Over 1,000 gift ideas are available from 150+ merchants on the platform. Dining experiences are available for restaurants like NOX - Dine in the Dark or Michelin Star restaurants such as Burnt Ends & Alma by Juan Amador. There are terrarium and leather craft workshops, and gift cards galore from retailers such as TANGS, Mothercare, Nike, and Best Denki. Giftano Gifts include flowers, gift hampers, personalised accessories, jewellery, and electronics.

Jesper Gustafsson, Founder & CEO of Giftano said, “The new normal reaffirmed the huge demand for online gifting. Customers were routinely requesting that gifts be purchased online for friends and family, and have it prepared as a proper gift with all the trimmings, and then delivered as such. With this new e-shop, Giftano now provides this entire gifting flow, as a one-stop shop for all gifting needs.”

A recent Giftano Gift Card survey found that 67% of the respondents will be buying more physical gifts online for the festive season in 2020 compared to 2019. Furthermore, 55% stated that when purchasing physical gifts online, they will have them shipped directly to the recipients. The survey also examined why customers want to shop for gifts online. Gift-givers were looking for a way to give a proper gift even when they are unable to meet the recipient in person, and want packaging, delivery and greeting cards all taken care of.

The demand for gift cards has also been increasing throughout 2020; 45% said they will buy more gift cards as festive 2020 gifts compared to previous year. The most popular gift cards are for experiences, fine dining and retail, and the appreciation of getting a gift card was rated 8 out of 10.

Look to Double Days for retail boosts: Criteo

- “Double Days” are growing into sales events of their own – during the most recent 9.9 (9th September) sale saw substantial growth in retail sales in Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia, of 213%, 183% and 156% respectively.

- Singles’ Day 2019 (11th November) saw a 414% increase in online retail sales and 273% increase in online retail traffic across Southeast Asia. In Singapore, online retail sales and traffic increased significantly, by 477% and 126% respectively.

- In Indonesia, 12.12 (12th December) remained the largest shopping moment within the country (Online retail sales and traffic increases of 258% and 77%)

Criteo, the advertising platform for the open Internet, has unveiled seasonal data for trending shopping festivals for Southeast Asia. In Singapore, Singles’ Day was revealed to be the biggest shopping event of the year in 2019. According to Criteo’s Seasonal Sales Dashboard, which recorded over 2 billion transactions across 5,000 retailers from 35 markets, Criteo found that Singles’ Day 2019 saw a 414% increase in online retail sales and 273% increase in online retail traffic across Southeast Asia. In Singapore, online retail sales and traffic increased significantly, by 477% and 126% respectively.

Singles’ Day, once again, had the highest conversion rate, with an increase of 155% in Singapore, and strong year on year growth of 49% from 2018.

“Singles’ Day continues to be a key retail moment for our region. Specifically, in Singapore, where we continue to see new records in online retail sales and retail traffic on this date, every year,” said Taranjeet Singh, MD, South East Asia and India at Criteo.

“In light of today’s evolving landscape and developments as result of the current pandemic, retailers need to seize the opportunity of Singles’ Day 2020 to succeed with customers and drive strong sales.”

Across Southeast Asia, Singles’ Day remained the largest shopping event in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. In Indonesia, 12.12 remained the largest shopping moment within the country.

Southeast Asia

- 10.10 (10th October): Online retail sales and traffic increased by 24% and 10%

- Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving): Online retail sales and traffic increases of 44% and 20%

- Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday): Online retail sales and traffic increases of 42% and 25%

Indonesia: 12.12 was the winning shopping festival, followed by Singles’ Day:

- 10.10: Online retail sales and traffic increases of 158% and 40%

- Singles’ Day: Online retail sales and traffic increases of 149% and 60%

- 12.12: Online retail sales and traffic increases of 258% and 77%

Taiwan: Singles’ Day was the largest shopping moment, followed by 12.12 and Black Friday:

- Singles’ Day: Online retail sales and traffic increases of 400% and 165%

- Black Friday: Online retail sales and traffic increases of 59% and 49%

- 12.12: Online retail sales and traffic increases of 149% and 61%

Criteo data also revealed that “Double Days” are growing into sales events of their own. In Malaysia and Vietnam for example, 7.7 (7th July) turned out to be an emerging sales peak this year, with increased retail sales by 132% and 64% in the two countries, respectively.

Most recently this year, substantial growth was recorded in retail sales in September, during 9.9, particularly in Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia, of 213%, 183% and 156% respectively. In October, during 10.10, the Southeast Asia region recorded an overall 46% increase in sales when compared to the last two weeks of September, and saw a conversion rate of 460% during the retail moment.

Criteo also noted that shopping apps continue to grow in popularity amongst users in Southeast Asia. According to Criteo’s Peak to Recovery study, which surveyed over 13,000 consumers worldwide in May 2020, 53% of consumers discovered at least one form of online shopping during the peak of the pandemic – be it purchasing through mobile apps, or picking up online purchases in stores – that they wish to continue.

“The unique circumstances of navigating COVID-19 have resulted in evolving consumer behaviour with regards to online shopping. Not only are people shopping more, they are also more inclined to using apps for retail,” explained Singh.

“In Q3 2020, our data revealed that the share of app sales was 75% for retailers with a shopping app and that Southeast Asia was one of the regions with the highest app share globally. With shoppers now inclined toward in-app retail experiences, retailers should step up efforts to engage consumers through these mediums during key retail moments like Singles’ Day for maximum traction.”

Jo Bjordal, CMO, ZALORA explained, "COVID-19 has changed shopping behaviour across our markets, with more people shifting to buying things online. The demand and consumption patterns for product categories have changed dramatically too.”

When it came to key changes in retail preferences, Bjordal elaborated on spikes in consumer demand that fashion e-tailer ZALORA has seen in the last recent months, even during the last Double Day, 10.10. “Within the lifestyle segment, we have seen a spike in demand towards the loungewear, beauty, kids, as well as continued growth in sports and wellness categories. In fact, these categories at ZALORA have grown by as much as 400% as seen in this year’s 10.10 sales days, as people continue to prioritise personal wellbeing and spend more time at home. On the other hand, demand for women’s apparel and occasion wear products has declined as compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, although this is expected to pick up again once the situation around COVID-19 stabilises, and countries gradually ease into their respective re-openings,” he said.

Criteo said brands should keep in mind the following best practices to drive maximum traction with customers as they get ready for Singles’ Day this year:

Target the most valuable audiences

Through website and campaign optimisation, brands can be assured of a wider reach from new and existing customers. This includes finding new, interested shoppers and re-engaging existing customers through data and insights.

Maximising customer value

Customers are looking to get the most value from their purchases, so it is key to ensure that this is communicated to customers, and brands look for unique ways to differentiate their offerings, apart from providing substantial discounts in cost. This could include unique and practical customer services, including safer store shopping options and online-meets-offline purchasing to address customer concerns during the pandemic.

Enhancing ad relevance

It is not enough for brands to advertise Singles’ Day deals – they need to ensure that ads are served in the right context and with the relevant content to their specific audience. This means considering the timing at which ads are served, preferably at a time when a consumer is likely to make a purchase.

YTO Cargo Airlines begins Singapore-Hangzhou cargo operations

Source: Changi Airport Group. Chinese express carrier YTO Cargo Airlines launches new services between Singapore and Hangzhou.

Chinese express carrier YTO Cargo Airlines [圆通航空] has launched thrice-weekly services between Singapore and Hangzhou. The new carrier’s first flight from Hangzhou landed at Changi Airport on November 2, 2020.

From November 2020, Alibaba’s logistics arm, Cainiao [菜鸟网络], will utilise YTO Cargo Airlines’ services for the transportation of e-commerce shipments. YTO Cargo Airlines’ direct airfreight route between Hangzhou and Singapore will improve Cainiao’s stability and efficiency in achieving its goal of global delivery within 72 hours in Southeast Asia, amid a surge in cross-border e-commerce orders. It will also cater for the expected increase in air cargo demand during year-end online shopping festivals such as Singles Day on 11 November.

Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) MD of Air Hub Development said, “We are pleased to welcome YTO Cargo Airlines to Changi’s family of airlines. In these challenging times, the additional capacity provided by YTO Cargo Airlines will help support global supply chains and facilitate the transfer of essential goods between countries. As an express carrier, YTO Cargo Airlines will enable fast air transportation of cross-border e-commerce shipments so that customers can benefit from timely deliveries, amid the rise of online shopping and disruptions in the aviation industry.”

David Su, YTO Cargo Airlines’ Chairman said, “We are delighted to launch our newest route to Changi Airport, together with our shareholder and core strategic partner Cainiao. Singapore is one of the key hubs in the Southeast Asia market, while Hangzhou is the cradleland of e-commerce in China. We are committed to responding to customer demands by providing five-star service and supporting bilateral trade between China and Singapore.”

Singapore’s air trade – imports and exports* – with China, Changi’s top air cargo market, has remained relatively resilient during the pandemic, growing 7% year-on-year to more than 108,000 tonnes in the first nine months this year. This is largely due to strong import flows of personal protective equipment (PPE) in earlier months, as well as e-commerce products.

In the past seven months, Changi has also added four new freighter links to China, bringing the total to seven** as of October 2020. Including freighter, passenger and cargo-only passenger flights, there are currently 14 city links between Singapore and China, providing greater convenience and capacity for the air transportation of goods between the two countries.

For the first nine months of 2020, Changi Airport handled 1.13 million tonnes of airfreight throughput in total.

*Imports make up about 60% of the volume, and exports make up 40%.

**Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Nantong are the new freighter links since April 2020, joining links to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Amazon's Prime Day returns today

Amazon.sg's first-ever Prime Day in Singapore happens today and tomorrow, just days after Amazon.sg turned one on October 8, 2020.

The event is expected to generate significant sales for Amazon – as well as for competing retailers – and mark the unofficial beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Online revenue overall is expected to increase this year amid major changes in shopping behaviour, with many consumers limiting their trips to malls and stores. According to Adobe’s Digital Economy Index (ADI), the pandemic has resulted in an extra spending of US$94 billion since lockdowns went into effect in March 2020. Online spending reached US$434.5 billion from January through July 2020, stated the ADI, and at current growth, could exceed 2019 levels.

Sonia Lapinsky, MD at consulting firm AlixPartners, also pointed out that employees who are working from home can shop without hiding their behaviour from bosses, as they might have to when in open cubicles at the office.

“As we’ve seen in past years, Amazon Prime Day has turned into a big day for retail overall, as large retailers and even smaller merchants plan promotions and deals around Prime Day,” added Michael Klein, Global Director of strategy and marketing for retail, travel, and consumer goods at Adobe.

“They want to take advantage of the eyeballs that are going to be out there looking for deals, and we expect the same to be true this year.”

Klein further highlighted that with the longer shipping and available deals, shoppers are thinking ahead and starting their holiday shopping early.

Amazon's 2019 sales are estimated to have jumped 71% to US$7.16 billion worldwide year over year. Last year, major retailers — those with at least US$1 billion in sales — saw an average lift in revenue of 68% during the two-day event, according to Adobe research. Small and midsize retailers also saw a significant increase in online sales of 28%.

In 2018, 37% of online shoppers said they looked at other online retail sites on Prime Day, and 51% of shoppers who browsed a non-Amazon website or app during Prime Day bought something.

Adobe’s Making the Holidays Happy: Guide to Evolving Marketing Strategies During COVID research found that despite the current climate, 78% of consumers are planning to spend just as much or even more for the holidays, with 39% reporting that they are making online purchases more often than before.

With consumers spending more time at home, they’re more likely to see more online promotions from retailers. Retailers are reacting to this consumer shift and starting promotions earlier. Prime Day will further accelerate this pull-up of holiday season, promotions, and spending, Adobe said.

Check Point has also commented on Prime Day, warning that the cybercriminals are out in force to attack consumers during this time. Researchers at Check Point conducted an analysis of cyberthreats related to Prime Day in the weeks leading up to the event. They found an increase in the number of registered domains related to Amazon that are malicious. In the last 30 days, there was a 21% increase in domains registered containing the word “Amazon” compared to the previous month. More than a quarter (28%) of those domains have been found to be malicious and another 10% suspicious, Check Point said.

Furthermore, the number of domains registered containing the words “Amazon” and “Prime” has doubled within the last 30 days, with 20% of those domains being malicious.

Check Point’s Data Threat Researcher, Omer Dembinsky said: “We’re sounding the alarm bells, as we’re seeing unusually high surges of malicious domains attempting to imitate the e-commerce giant at this time. Before Amazon Prime Day, create a strong password, don’t overshare personal details on your profile, and watch for any misspelling of Amazon.com as you shop from page to page. On Amazon Prime Day, triple-check if you are actually on Amazon.com. The revelation is clear: as consumers gear up for Prime Day, so are hackers. One wrong click can lead to all your personal information getting out there.”

In July 2020, Amazon postponed Prime Day, its annual summer sales event for Prime members, to revamp its logistics operations for an expected surge in online orders and for the development of safety protocols to keep its warehouse workers safe.

Explore:

Read the Adobe blog post on what Prime Day means for retailers.

Read Amazon Singapore's Country Manager Henry Low's thoughts on turning one.

Source: Adobe Making the Holidays Happy: Guide to Evolving Marketing Strategies During COVID white paper. Gen Z and Millennial consumers are most likely to have a higher budget in 2020.

ENGAGE online brand ambassadors to bring human touch online

Source: Oomph! Lee.

Singapore-based manpower matchmaking agency Oomph! has launched an online brand ambassador platform and service, ENGAGE. The platform aims to enhance online experiences by bringing the human touch found in brick-and-mortar stores online.

Through ENGAGE, Oomph! promises to provide dedicated and trained online brand ambassadors, helping traditional businesses pivot away from offline sales channels. These brand ambassadors can be engaged through a chat box, which offers the option of video chats, in order to help identify, match and recommend products to satisfy the customer needs. The platform can also assist in making bookings for consumers to visit the store in-person for purchases that require face-to-face interaction.

Christopher Sivalingam, Account Manager at Oomph! and project lead of ENGAGE said, “COVID-19 has been a challenging time for businesses that rely on personalised consumer experiences and the human touch. We believe that ENGAGE will allow us to continue the distinction of helping brands to bridge this gap and provide them with the right people to front their products and brand values.”

Jacelyn Lee, Founder and MD of TAG, Oomph!’s parent marketing group, said: “COVID-19 has forced us all to adapt and change, and traditional businesses like Oomph!, which deals in the very human art of manpower, must continue to innovate to survive.

“We believe technology exists to enhance the human experience, as opposed to replacing or taking away from it. This is the concept behind the ENGAGE platform.”

Details:

The ENGAGE service will be offered to retail brands and businesses under three price plans – Starter, Standard, and Custom. Oomph! operates across Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Lush arrives at ZALORA Singapore

British beauty delicatessen Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has arrived on ZALORA.

The 23-year old pioneer of beauty products such as fizzing bath bombs, shower jellies, solid shampoo bars and solid toothpaste emphasises fresh ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables, and the highest-quality herbs, flowers, and essential oils. Twenty years ago, Lush created the first bath bomb, and have since sold millions of units, with an 18.5 million made in 2017 alone.

Lush products are available for every part of the body, from the Bath Bombs to Solid Shampoos, and Toothy Tabs to perfumes. Lush is also known for its stance on ethical issues, and commitment to minimising impact on the environment.

Lush uses 100% recycled plastic for its pots and bottles, plastic-free glitter, and is free of microbeads and mineral oils. Sixty-five percent of Lush products are self-preserving, and the ingredients are ethically sourced in support of fair trade and direct trade initiatives worldwide. The products carry use-by dates to ensure customers know when each product was made, and by whom.

The Lush assortment on ZALORA offers favourites such as Rose Jam Shower Gel, Big Sea Salt Shampoo, Sleepy Body Lotion, Boom Toothpaste Tabs and Creme De Menthe Mouthwash Tabs, at www.zalora.sg/lush-fresh-handmade-cosmetics from S$10 - S$129.

Source: ZALORA.

All boxes are made of 100% recyclable cardboard. They come with a printed invoice and are sealed with paper-based stickers, and filled with Eco-Flo packing peanuts to cushion any impact. Eco-Flo peanuts are made from potato starch and biodegradable. The boxes will be labelled 'fragile' when carrying delicate products like Bath Bombs.

In celebration of this launch, Lush will be giving the first 100 customers a free Bar Of Soap valued at S$24, and all customers will receive a free travel-sized item while stocks last.

Singpost to work with Shippit on last-mile fulfilment

• Shippit has added SingPost’s delivery services on their platform, plus exclusively-negotiated delivery rates
  
  
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can leverage on the partnership to deliver parcels to all addresses in Singapore

SMEs now have more delivery options for e-commerce fulfilment through a partnership between logistics technology company Shippit and Singapore Post (SingPost), Singapore’s homegrown e-commerce courier.

SMEs on the Shippit platform will now be able to offer their customers in Singapore the option of parcel collection at any time by tapping into the island-wide POPStation self-collection network that SingPost currently operates. As part of the deal, Shippit will also offer SingPost’s Speedpost Express Service to SMEs, alongside discounted, pre-negotiated rates for next day and economy delivery services. Such services used to be reserved for larger companies.

The SingPost services are integrated directly into Shippit’s existing online platform, which enables SMEs to access data-driven delivery insights that can be used to optimise shipping costs and share better customer experiences.

Lavneesh Arora, Director of Market Development at Shippit said: “Shippit aims to disrupt the way legacy logistics firms operate. We are always looking for great partnerships to expand our capabilities and give clients a competitive edge. Through the latest partnership with Singapore’s largest and most prominent logistics company, SMEs can use Shippit to get direct access to SingPost’s premium, enterprise-grade delivery services at a fraction of the cost.”

Shippit’s tracking system offers proactive delay avoidance technology and accurate delivery estimates — SMEs can track exactly where the parcel is, ensuring delivery issues are resolved before customers find out. They can also send branded push emails and SMSes to keep their customers informed. On the receiver’s end, one-link tracking and smart notifications are automated, so customers can monitor their shipment, get real-time updates and access delivery support directly from the tracking page.

Sara Kalle, Senior VP of Group Sales at SingPost, said: “Customers can look forward to a hassle-free shipping experience from the moment they confirm their order on Shippit’s award-winning platform, to collecting their shipments from us at their doors or at a nearby POPStation.”

Australia-founded Shippit officially launched its regional headquarters in Singapore in mid-July. The company's clients include Sephora, UNIQLO, CottonOn, and Harvey Norman.

Great Eastern launches more rewards for online shopping together with RebateMango

Great Eastern and RebateMango have collaborated to launch a new dimension of rewards on UPGREAT, Great Eastern’s all-in-one rewards platform.


A new range of dining, lifestyle and shopping rewards have been introduced as part of the insurer’s regional consumer strategy to engage its customers online. Through this direct integration, Great Eastern’s UPGREAT members will experience a new seamless journey and the opportunity to receive more UPGREAT points when they shop at over 500 Singapore retailers such as Shopee, Agoda, AliExpress, Booking.com, Lazada and more.

By using RebateMango to power the merchant offerings, UPGREAT members simply need to open the UPGREAT app, select the retailer and start shopping to earn UPGREAT Points. At the same time, it allows UPGREAT to enjoy easy scalability in their offering to users. UPGREAT Points can be exchanged for KrisFlyer miles, Shell Select vouchers, GrabFood vouchers, dining vouchers and other rewards.

RebateMango, which powers the retailer access within the UPGREAT app, has been available as a rewards shopping platform for over three years, providing users with a choice of rewards such as cashback, air miles and loyalty points whenever they shop online. Currently available in four markets, RebateMango was previously available strictly on the RebateMango platform, and has now moved into business-to-business (B2B) solutions as well with UPGREAT by Great Eastern as the first partner to launch.

Ryan Cheong, MD, Digital for Business, Great Eastern, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with RebateMango to bring a vast selection of retailers onto UPGREAT and provide a wider range of attractive options for the users of UPGREAT app to earn UPGREAT Points. As we look to launch UPGREAT across the region, we will continue to work with RebateMango and likeminded partners to engage our members in new and exciting ways.”

Paul Koh, Co-Founder of RebateMango added: “Partnerships are a big part of our business and providing Great Eastern with our solution is just another way of helping them to achieve their objective of a more rewarding shopping experience for UPGREAT members. We are delighted to have a partner like Great Eastern - the integration was seamless and we look forward to coming up with more innovative solutions to bring greater value to them and other partners alike.”

UPGREAT rewards users with lifestyle dining and shopping privileges. It is a single mobile platform where users can enjoy their loyalty benefits and rewards digitally, transfer and share with their friends and family members. Users can accumulate reward points as there is no expiry date for these points. UPGREAT presently has 168,000 members in Singapore and the app is free for anyone to download - it is not restricted to Great Eastern policyholders.

Great Eastern is a market leader and trusted brand in Singapore and Malaysia. With over 8 million policyholders, including 5 million from government schemes, it provides insurance solutions to customers through three successful distribution channels –a tied agency force, bancassurance, and financial advisory firm Great Eastern Financial Advisers. The Group also operates in Indonesia and Brunei and has a presence in China as well as a representative office in Myanmar. Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC Bank, the longest-established Singapore bank, formed in 1932.

RebateMango.com is an online rewards digital platform that allows users to choose their preferred rewards such as cashback, air miles or loyalty points whenever they shop online at over 500 popular retailers. The company is now present in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines with a membership base of over 1.5 million users.

Hashtags: #GreatEasternSG, #TheLifeCompany, #LifeproofMedia

Epson Singapore opens flagship store on Shopee

Epson Singapore is increasing its digital presence to cater to changes in consumer shopping habits. The company has officially opened a flagship store on Shopee, one of the leading e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia. This follows the opening of its flagship Lazada store in 2018.

According to Epson Singapore, 37% of Singaporean consumers have increased their online shopping activities as a result of staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. The same data also revealed that over 76% of those surveyed intend to continue this trend even after the global health crisis stabilises*.

At the same time, Epson Singapore has seen a 16.4% increase in online sales in Q120 compared to the previous year - confirming the need to expand its online footprint and offerings, according to a GfK report done in Q120. The company also reported an increase in total online printer brand share by 4% Q119 and Q120**, indicating that consumers have seen value in Epson’s product offerings for remote working.

Tan May Lin, Director – Sales, Marketing and Customer Service of Epson Sales division, Epson Singapore said, “While brick-and-mortar stores continue to be important to our customers, shifts in consumer behaviour are driving further demand for an omnichannel digital presence.

"As a customer-centric brand, we want to be where our customers are, and we believe that with the Shopee flagship store, Epson will continue to grow our brand presence, improve the consumer experience for our customers, while also making good on our commitment to sustainable business operations.”

To celebrate Epson’s official store launch on Shopee, exclusive promotions with up to S$100 in NTUC e-vouchers, as well as free gifts will be available till 16 August 2020. Visit the official Epson store on Shopee to find out more.

*Nielsen, April 2020: IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

**GfK, Q1 2020: Inkjet & Laser Printing report

Adobe: APAC consumer sentiment still positive in mid-2020

Despite COVID-19-induced lockdown restrictions now being lifted in many parts of the world, the extended time spent confined to the home has had a significant impact on consumers’ shopping habits and their interactions with brands, according to research* released by Adobe released on the sidelines of Adobe Experience Makers Live, a virtual event to help brands adapt to the digital world.

According to the research, COVID-19 has impacted consumers’ everyday lives and habits. Nearly seven in 10 consumers (67%) expressed concern about the overall impact of the pandemic. Chief amongst these concerns are personal health (73%), job vulnerability (40%) and the economy (36%). Millennials (72%) typically expressed greater concern compared to Gen Z (58%), Boomers (62%), and Traditionalists (48%).

Simon Dale, MD, Southeast Asia, Adobe commented, “The outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated a broad shift in APAC consumer behaviours and attitudes that have been in the making for some time. It is clear from the results of the study that brands that are nimble in pivoting to this digital ‘new norm’ will be able to create deep and enduring brand resonance while helping their customers feel truly supported. Marketers will need to pay close attention to their customers and ensure that they adapt their CX strategy to address different groups with relevant messages, more so now than ever.”

While almost all consumers surveyed (95%) are willing to wait out the continued restrictions, only 61% agree with the continued lockdown measures, signalling an eagerness to resume life per normal. Chinese consumers cited the least disagreement with the continued restrictions. Overall, APAC consumers were more willing to wait out restrictions, in contrast to consumer sentiment in Japan and the US.

The survey found a growing social consciousness reflected in the importance consumers placed on staff treatment (77%). Despite this, brands have some way to go - only slightly over half (54%) of consumers agree that brands are doing enough to ensure staff wellbeing. Among the younger generation, attitudes are polarised on this issue - Gen Z typically ascribed less importance while Millennials ascribed more importance to treatment of staff.

Nearly three in four consumers (73%) found it important for brands to mirror the state of the world in their marketing collaterals in response to COVID-19. China (80%) and India (83%) consumers were more likely to agree with this sentiment. Furthermore, there is a general sense that brands have a duty to proactively offer help or provide special offers to customers at this time. This sense of duty among marketers is strongest in China (94%) and India (94%), and weakest in Australia (82%). In the US, close to four fifths (78%) of marketers surveyed say brands have this duty.

Source: Adobe APAC Consumer Survey (June 2020). Results of responses (n = 4,001) to the question "How, if at all, have you changed your shopping for the following?". Shopping frequency and habits have changed. Groceries, media, books, and health products saw an increase or no change in purchase frequency; in contrast, clothes, home improvements, and dining/delivery faced the steepest decline.

Male consumers were more likely to purchase dining/delivery and media, while female consumers shopped less in all categories except groceries and clothes. Media is defined as movies, games and music.

Younger generations and Indian consumers, specifically, cited increased purchasing across all categories, with the exception of dining/delivery for the latter.

Despite COVID-19, seven in 10 consumers reported a preference for purchasing groceries, health/beauty items and home-improvement solutions in person, while around half also opted for home delivery (47%) - usually for food and books - and 17% relied on curbside pickup. In curbside pickups, the shopper does not enter the store, but takes delivery nearby, outside the store.
Across all product categories, younger generations and urban residents preferred home delivery while the older generation preferred in-person shopping, with the exception of media for the latter. Amongst all countries surveyed, Australian consumers were more likely to favour in-person shopping across all product categories. 

Marketers have done a good job at keeping brand sentiment relatively positive during this time. Over half (55%) of consumers found utility in brand-related COVID-19 updates they were sent, with 69% requesting said updates in the future.

Frequency of messaging and ensuring that specific groups of consumers receive messages they need, when they need them was a crucial part of this. Two-thirds of consumers agree that brands are communicating just the right amount, while interestingly, nearly one in five (16%) believe that brands are not communicating enough. Younger consumers were more likely to unsubscribe from emailers, highlighting the importance of taking a personalised approach to keep different groups engaged.

To respond to these nuances in customer preference, the majority of organisations are transforming their long-term strategy in case this period lasts for more than a year (79%), and are also changing their approach to future marketing efforts (82%). In fact, marketers in APAC organisations indicated a greater inclination to make long-term changes compared to their counterparts in the US. Changes include shifting to different marketing channels (75%), changing prioritised audiences (58%) and reallocating resources across different regions (47%).

The intrinsic value of brands directly addressing COVID-19 in external communications is apparent with over seven in 10 (71%) of marketers report having a COVID-19 task force to manage messaging and campaigns. Those in Australia (55%) and Singapore (67%) are less likely to have a task force, whereas those in China (81%) and India (80%) are more likely to have one.

During the lockdown, 58% of consumers increased their online shopping frequency while three quarters (74%) cited an intention to change their future shopping habits. Indian and Singaporean consumers reported the strongest intentions. Unsurprisingly, younger generations were more likely to cite an intention to change future shopping habits while older generations preferred to maintain the status quo.

Chinese and Indian consumers were most likely to report an increase in online shopping, with Indian and Singaporean consumers reporting the strongest intention to change their future shopping habits.

In contrast, under half of marketers in Japan and the US report having specific teams for this. The positive outcome of aligning closely with a COVID-19 task force is that the vast majority of marketers in APAC feel that organisational marketing and communications have been authentic (94%) and have resonated with customers (92%).

Explore:

Download the reports on the Adobe website – Consumer Report | Marketer Report (PDFs).

*Conducted by research firm Advanis for Adobe, the study surveyed 4,001 consumers in selected Asia Pacific countries – Australia, China, India and Singapore and 1,200 marketers across China, India, Singapore and Australia between 1 – 17 June 2020.

APAC stands for Asia Pacific, and CX for customer experience. 

Age bands are defined as: 18 to 29 years old: Gen Z (23%); 30 to 49 years old Millennials (36%); 50 to 64 years old: Boomers (26%); and 65 years+: Traditionalists (15% ).