More and more Filipinos are getting the hang of online shopping these days over the traditional in-store shopping, owing to the former’s advantages and benefits that include convenience and wider choices, among others.
Because of the increasing popularity of buying or selling of products and services over the Internet, Lazada, the No. 1 online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia, is encouraging more Filipino entrepreneurs, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be more active instruments in the development of e-commerce in the country.
To get a bigger share in the market, Juan Pavez Spencer, Lazada Philippines chief executive officer for logistics, said it is important that SMEs navigate through e-commerce.
“SMEs need help to be onboard and scale up quickly. [And] Lazada empowers and educates sellers, and helps them to grow their business online. Lazada is empowering and extending the reach of entrepreneurs and big brands with its expansive ecosystem of warehouses and logistics partners,” Spencer said during a news briefing over the weekend at Lazada’s main warehouse in Cabuyao City, Laguna.
“Lazada creates next-level partnerships with brands that build their e-commerce capabilities holistically,” he added.
Spencer said SMEs must harness the advantages offered by online shopping, especially for consumers living in Metro Manila who regularly experience the horrendous road traffic situation.
“Online shopping allows Filipinos to enjoy the convenience of browsing through millions of products at their fingertips and receiving their purchase right at their doorstep without enduring the heavy traffic and crowded malls during the Christmas rush,” he said.
He noted that the numbers show a great potential since the Philippines has 47 million e-commerce users in 2018, posting a 4-percent year-on-year increase. On the same year, commerce in the Philippines reached $6 billion in transaction value, posting a 17-percent year-on-year surge.
“We can expect an exponential growth in the next three years. We also see e-commerce to grow 6 percent to 7 percent in the next three years,” Spencer said.
As part of their expansion, Spencer said, Lazada storage facilities, which the company calls fifth-generation facilities, have a double capacity compared to the current storage facilities. “It will not only have a double capacity but will it will be equipped with the latest technologies and equipment,” he said.
As the leading e-commerce store in Southeast Asia, Spencer said, Lazada enables seamless interactions between sellers and customers, and gigantic online assortment of merchandise.
Lazada carries around 30,000 listed sellers, offering more than 80 million products in the Philippines. It also offers a thousand of authentic brands, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, JBL, Philipps, Mac, L’Oreal, Dove, Olay and Levi’s, under the recently launched LazMall.
Moreover, online shoppers can avail themselves of the same-day/next-day delivery. The shipping option called premium service is available in certain parts of Greater Manila Area, Metro Cebu and Davao City.
“Our team is prepared for the high volume of orders and deliveries, thanks to the continuous expansion of our ecosystem of warehouses and logistics partners,” said Spencer.
“As millions of orders come in during the gift-giving season, Lazada takes its operations into high gear, from picking up products from sellers or warehousing and packing items offered on its online marketplace to delivering orders to shoppers on the same day or the next day,” he added.
Spencer said online shoppers in the Philippines enjoy more than 50 million deals, including discounts of as much as 99 percent, P1 deals and vouchers, during the annual shopping event held every 11th of November, popularly among the Chinese as “singles’ day.”
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the No. 1 online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia with presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. With 300 million stock keeping units available, Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories from beauty, fashion and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, sports equipment and groceries.
Areas of coverage are Makati, Taguig, Parañaque, Pasay, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Quezon City; Laguna: Biñan City, Cabuyao City, Calamba City, San Pedro, Santa Rosa City and Los Baños; Cavite: Carmona, Alfonso, Amadeo, Bacoor, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Imus, Indang, Mendez, Silang and Tagaytay City and, Metro Cebu: Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos