The annual event by Lazada, a major online shopping and selling platform in the region, is aimed at showcasing the convenience and value of online shopping, and allowing shoppers to take advantage of “out-of-this-world” prices on brands and products. For 24 hours starting midnight of November 11, shoppers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam can enjoy blockbuster deals from LazMall and local sellers on Lazada marketplace, including discounts of up to 90% on more than 1 million items during the 24-hour shopping spree.
In what has become a uniquely Lazada experience, shoppers can expect exciting games while collecting discount and promotion vouchers in addition to shopping for their favourite brands. From November 1, shoppers can start collecting promotion vouchers through popular games such as SlashIt and ShakeIt in the run-up to the Lazada 11.11 Shopping Festival.
This year, Lazada will be introducing a new game as part of the 11.11 Shopping Festival. Wonderland is an interactive map that allows shoppers to discover 11.11 deals from various brands as well as win special Lazada or store vouchers for their purchases while they indulge in the biggest one-day sale. Some of the brands and sellers that are participating in Wonderland include L'Oréal, Laneige and Huawei.
“Bargain-hunters are also fun-seekers. Shopping doesn’t have to be boring and our business is not just about offering discounts or a one-off deal. So we are introducing games for shoppers to have some fun while browsing, buying and getting discounts – and they are loving it. Our focus is about building a great shopping experience. It’s the heart to everything we do and what makes an e-commerce operation vibrant,” said Jing Yin, Co-president, Commercial, Lazada Group.
This year, Lazada is staging two gala TV shows in Malaysia and Thailand, where local celebrities and influencers will participate and put fans to the test through games. During the Super Show, contestants stand a chance to walk away with mega giveaways such as the VW Beetle as well as return air tickets to Paris, France.
In total, 1,111 celebrities and influencers across Southeast Asia will come together with their fans to celebrate the Lazada 11.11 Shopping Festival and build a mega online shopping community through live-streaming sessions, Facebook and Instagram posts. For the first time, Lazada is featuring its own Lazada playlist on Spotify, so that consumers can shop while listening to their favourite tunes.
In total, 1,111 celebrities and influencers across Southeast Asia will come together with their fans to celebrate the Lazada 11.11 Shopping Festival and build a mega online shopping community through live-streaming sessions, Facebook and Instagram posts. For the first time, Lazada is featuring its own Lazada playlist on Spotify, so that consumers can shop while listening to their favourite tunes.
To prepare for the year-end shopping season and its largest sale event, Lazada launched its inaugural 9.9 sale on September 9, where over 11 million customers shopped on Lazada’s app in just 24 hours. Lazada has also been working with brands and sellers over the last three months to provide seller workshops and brand campaigns for businesses to better engage with customers, and to refine the Lazada app for a smoother and more seamless shopping experience.
“Our brands and sellers want go beyond transactions. They are all fired up to create their own universe in the ecommerce world, showcase their biggest and best deals to our shoppers during this one-day only shopping marathon and provide the most fun and engaging experience on Lazada,” said Jing.
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the No. 1 online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia –present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. With 350 million SKUs available, Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories from beauty, fashion, and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, sports equipment and groceries. The company maintains its own first- and last-mile delivery arm supported by approximately 100 logistics partners.
Lazada Group is majority owned by Alibaba Group Holding, which reinvented 11.11 as a day to shop. For the first time, Lazada’s participation in the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival is in conjunction with other Alibaba Group platforms including Taobao and Tmall. As the 10th anniversary celebration of 11.11 by the whole of the Alibaba Group, this year's 11.11 is set to be the largest ever yet for consumers worldwide.
On top of more than RMB10 billion in daily hongbao giveaways and shop coupons for select categories up for grabs for all Taobao and Tmall users, there will also be even more promotional offers such as promo codes and free shipping deals on selected items.
On top of more than RMB10 billion in daily hongbao giveaways and shop coupons for select categories up for grabs for all Taobao and Tmall users, there will also be even more promotional offers such as promo codes and free shipping deals on selected items.
In a media briefing held in conjunction with the launch of Lazada’s 11.11 Shopping Festival the Lazada Group pledged to help 8 million e-commerce entrepreneurs as well as small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia to thrive by 2030. The company also announced its commitment to create an inclusive and sustainable e-commerce ecosystem in the region.
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| Source: Lazada. From left: Kapoor (back to camera), S. Iswaran, Poignant, and Baptist at the panel. |
The e-commerce platform said it will assist SMEs to digitise their businesses and gain better access to Internet-savvy and mobile consumers; make it easier for sellers to create their own brands on Lazada; while leveraging the company’s logistics network to facilitate the transfer of goods.
At the opening speech of a panel discussion hosted by Lazada on the state of e-commerce in Southeast Asia, Lucy Peng, Executive Chairwoman and CEO, Lazada Group, said: “Having overcome the early challenges of building up the business and industry in a nascent landscape, we now want to lead our ecosystem through the era of robust digital transformation.
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| Source: Lazada. Peng. |
"Our focus is on creating a trusted platform connecting sellers to the Southeast Asian consumers. By enabling sellers with our technology and logistics capabilities, we want to help sellers flourish, to become sustainable businesses that will contribute to Southeast Asia economic growth in the long run.”
The panel comprised S. Iswaran, Singapore Minister for Communications & Information, Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations; Pierre Poignant, Executive President, Lazada Group; Simon Baptist, Global Chief Economist and MD, Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) in Asia; and media personality Anita Kapoor.
Panelists discussed SMEs’ e-commerce expertise and access to local consumers.To help sellers reach more customers, Lazada has developed tools, training and other initiatives that enable sellers of all sizes to attract, engage and convert more consumers into sales.
That said, Lazada aspires to do more. “(The) new generation of sellers no longer view e-commerce as a 'good-to-have', but a necessity in order to drive success. And e-commerce players like Lazada can be strategic partners to sellers who are committed to their professional and business growth. Their thriving businesses will boost the ecosystem,” said Poignant.
On cross-border trade, another common challenge faced by SMEs raised at the panel, Baptist said, “Singapore has led the way in actively pursuing an agenda for open trade borders. However, there are still challenges for SMEs, especially in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, due to a lack of access to financial and support services, as well as a need to develop capacity in e-payments and e-commerce."
Faced with limited fulfilment players, a small and fragmented transportation sector, as well as vastly different infrastructure landscapes, e-commerce players in Southeast Asia typically struggle with logistics, to the point where they might not survive.
“Our research showed that logistics is a challenge, particularly in archipelagos like Indonesia and the Philippines. Road networks, as well as the retail and distribution network, came up as higher-risk areas for e-commerce firms,” said Baptist.
Panellists identified data and technology as the two key factors that will dynamically evolve the customer experience for online shoppers, due to Southeast Asia’s heterogeneity. E-commerce businesses that can leverage data to navigate specific local consumer tastes and direct consumers to take desired actions are well-poised to succeed.
“By allowing SMEs to tap into Lazada’s logistics network to facilitate the transfer of goods across countries, businesses will be able to deliver to customers anywhere,” said Poignant.
“Through our technology powered by data and insights, Lazada enables small businesses to connect with their shoppers through a trusted platform, providing them the opportunity to build their businesses and tap into the vast potential that Southeast Asia presents.”
The e-commerce sector also presents tremendous opportunity for local talents and communities. In particular, the flexibility of maintaining an e-commerce business has attracted many female entrepreneurs to start businesses while taking care of their families at home.
“When you consider how female shoppers will be key demand drivers as ASEAN economies develop, it makes business sense for large e-commerce players to cultivate female entrepreneurship, particularly in certain e-commerce categories, like cosmetics and children’s products, that will be fuelled by female-driven growth,” said Baptist.
“Women play a significant role in the digital economy, and an inclusive e-commerce ecosystem is one that creates an empowering environment for women entrepreneurs. In supporting the local female community, Lazada has rolled out a few initiatives. For instance, our Mompreneurs programme provides stay-at-home mothers with free training and assistance, so they are equipped to run an online store while juggling family responsibilities. The programme is currently available in the Philippines, and we are looking to expand this initiative to other markets in Southeast Asia,” said Poignant.
The e-commerce sector also presents tremendous opportunity for local talents and communities. In particular, the flexibility of maintaining an e-commerce business has attracted many female entrepreneurs to start businesses while taking care of their families at home.
“When you consider how female shoppers will be key demand drivers as ASEAN economies develop, it makes business sense for large e-commerce players to cultivate female entrepreneurship, particularly in certain e-commerce categories, like cosmetics and children’s products, that will be fuelled by female-driven growth,” said Baptist.
“Women play a significant role in the digital economy, and an inclusive e-commerce ecosystem is one that creates an empowering environment for women entrepreneurs. In supporting the local female community, Lazada has rolled out a few initiatives. For instance, our Mompreneurs programme provides stay-at-home mothers with free training and assistance, so they are equipped to run an online store while juggling family responsibilities. The programme is currently available in the Philippines, and we are looking to expand this initiative to other markets in Southeast Asia,” said Poignant.
During the Lazada 11.11 Shopping Festival, shoppers can:
- Pick from a wider variety of products on sale;
- Enjoy discounts of up to 90% for more than a million items up for grabs during Crazy Flash Sales and the Slash It game;
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| Source: Lazada. Infographic on how to participate in the Shake It game, together with timings. |
- Collect more vouchers from Lazada and well-loved brands through games like Shake It and Wonderland;
- Get more freebies with their purchases: Beauty buyers will receive more free gifts with every purchase of beauty products, for instance;
- Enjoy free shipping in selected countries.
