Shopee’s CNY 2025 Insights Show How Malaysians Merge Tradition with Digital Innovation

Shopee's latest Chinese New Year (CNY) consumer trend insights highlight a growing shift in how Malaysians shop for festive essentials, further reinforcing the gradual move from traditional shopping to online platforms. Items that were once typically bought offline are now being purchased online as more Malaysians are embracing e-commerce for its convenience, competitive prices, and interactive shopping experiences. The growing popularity of livestream shopping, real-time interactions with sellers, and tailored product recommendations further underscores how digital innovation is reshaping CNY shopping habits while preserving cherished traditions.

Shopee Live remains the go-to platform for consumers seeking engaging, real-time shopping experiences. This CNY, 116% more Malaysian buyers chose to interact with sellers, ask questions, and discover products via livestream shopping compared to the last CNY. This surge in engagement shows that live commerce has grown steadily as the key avenue for discovering CNY-related products and festive shopping.

With this rise in live shopping, Shopee Affiliates are seizing new and evolving opportunities by launching their own livestreams. During this campaign, the number of affiliate livestreams skyrocketed by over 160% and resulted in 240% increase in orders for local businesses selling CNY goods. By hosting livestreams, affiliates build trusted relationships with their followers, offering real-time recommendations, exclusive deals and an interactive shopping experience that helps audiences make informed purchasing decisions. 

Bell Hee Pek Wan, a top-performing Shopee Affiliate and the winner of Shopee Superstar Awards 2020 ‘Most Loved Streamer’ award, helped sellers achieve an 85% revenue increase per item during the CNY campaign through her engaging livestreams. "Livestreaming allows me to connect shoppers with the right products while demonstrating their quality and value in real time. I showcase CNY essentials— from auspicious home & living products like festive decorations and dining sets  to storage solutions and trending beauty products —while guiding shoppers on maximising savings with Shopee Coins and vouchers. This interactive experience builds trust and drives sales, benefiting both my audience and the sellers I collaborate with," she said.

Embracing Prosperity: How Local Entrepreneurs Turned Humble Dreams into Nationwide Success

With the Chinese New Year approaching, local entrepreneurs Wong from Sunspin and Bryan from FunFun.inShop highlight how e-commerce has become a valuable tool for small businesses to grow and adapt. Their journeys showcase the resilience, values, and determination that define Malaysia’s innovative spirit, offering timeless inspiration for anyone striving to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful growth.

Sunspin’s journey to healthier living, balanced family life, and business success

Husband-and-wife team Wong Yung Ming and Lee Sze Yee founded Sunspin in 2020 with a mission to make Konjac noodles and Black Garlic products more accessible to families like their own. As parents of two young children, the couple was inspired to promote healthier eating habits while building a stable future for their family.

Wong and Lee started their small business from their Johor home, selling to a small local network on a part-time basis. Their move into e-commerce transformed their business as they leveraged Shopee’s ecosystem, bringing nutritious products to families across Malaysia.

“We started engaging with Shopee Affiliates in 2024 and these local KOLs have supported us by driving new and repeat buyers to our store. In the last year alone, we consistently achieved a ninefold increase in daily orders during campaign days, thanks to these affiliates. We’re overwhelmed to share that we have sold over 80,000 items since joining Shopee, reflecting the trust families place in our products,” shared Wong, who left his IT career in early 2024 to focus on Sunspin full-time.

Their growth was further supported by the ‘Kempen Tani by Shopee’, a program aimed at empowering agropreneurs with the tools and resources to succeed in the digital economy. The couple attended ShopeeXpert workshops, took part in Shopee Live demos, and gained practical tips on increasing traffic and sales on the platform.

This Chinese New Year, the couple shared that true success means growing their business while enjoying quality time with their children. “Expanding our business while prioritising family has always been our goal. It’s rewarding to see how our efforts have brought both stability and precious moments with our family,” he shared.

From a small home experiment to FunFun.inShop’s multi-million Ringgit business

Before 2021, Bryan Ng, the director of FunFun.inShop, worked at a logistics company where he met several Shopee sellers who shared their experiences of building online businesses. “Hearing their stories gave me the confidence to give it a try myself,” Bryan recalls. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), he started small by uploading a few products to Shopee from his home. Orders started rolling in—at one point, up to 200 to 300 a day. “It was an eye-opener for me. What started as a small experiment quickly turned into something much bigger,” he shares.

First-Time Local Sellers and Brands Achieve a 30X Sales Uplift during Shopee's 12.12 Birthday Sale

 Local sellers and brands shone brightly during Shopee Malaysia’s 12.12 Birthday Sale, with first-time participants achieving an extraordinary 30X sales uplift compared to an average day. This remarkable growth reflects their dedication to meeting customers' needs, as they leveraged Shopee’s full suite of features—including Shopee Live, Shopee Affiliate, vouchers, and more— to enhance engagement and connect with buyers nationwide. 

Malaysians' favourite local brands, such as Dr. Cardin, ELGINI MALAYSIA, Indah Pesona Concept Store, Panda Eyes Official Store, and Popi Official Store, generated some of the highest orders from their livestream sessions. Shopee Affiliates  further bolstered visibility for sellers, driving 1 in 4 orders for local businesses, including allblue5367, HYGR, and Panna Lab. They also posted over 1 million Shopee Videos, significantly boosting visibility for local sellers.

From Night Markets to Nationwide Success: How E-Commerce is Changing Lives Across Malaysia

Behind every online purchase is a story of determination, resilience, and dreams realised. For many Malaysian entrepreneurs, platforms like Shopee have become catalysts for transforming humble beginnings into nationwide success stories. With robust logistics programmes and seamless nationwide connectivity, Shopee empowers local sellers to expand their businesses beyond traditional boundaries while providing buyers with unparalleled convenience, trust, and satisfaction.

Entrepreneurs like Muhammad Afiq bin Mohamad Arshad and Faizah Milin of A&F Berkat Borneo, Sarini Zainal Abidin of The Pastels Shop, and Suriana Ali Endut of Kimchi Suren Suria, are reaching new heights. Their inspiring stories highlight how  Shopee is helping to connect them with customers across the country by fostering community growth and bringing joy with every package delivered.

“Our mission is to support the dreams of sellers and meet the needs of buyers. Stories like those of Afiq and Faizah, Sarini, and Suriana inspire us to continue innovating and investing in solutions that make a positive difference in people's lives. As Shopee continues to expand its services and capabilities, we remain committed to fostering economic development, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the shopping experience for all Malaysians,” said Tan Ming Kit, Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence at Shopee Malaysia.

Shopee Empowers Over 100,000 New Local Entrepreneurs in 2024

Shopee’s ‘Sayangi Malaysia, Jom Rai Lokal 2024’1 study reveals a significant milestone in the Malaysian e-commerce landscape: over 100,000 entrepreneurs joined the Shopee ecosystem in 2024. This substantial increase reflects the rising acknowledgement of e-commerce as a vital and sustainable business model in today’s rapidly changing digital market.

“The impressive growth of Malaysian entrepreneurs on our platform this year is a testament to their proactive embracing of digital opportunities. Shopee remains dedicated to providing local Malaysian businesses with the essential resources including Affiliate Marketing Solutions, third-party logistics services, and Shopee Live to thrive in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. We are proud to play a part in the journey for local enterprises to broaden their reach, optimise their operations, and achieve growth in this ever-evolving economy,” said Ming Kit Tan, Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence at Shopee Malaysia.

Get Ready for the 9.9 Super Shopping Day: Unbeatable Deals Await at Shopee!

Kick off the year-end shopping season with Shopee's exciting 9.9 Super Shopping Day! From now until 13 September, Malaysians can explore a treasure trove of amazing deals, exclusive vouchers, and thrilling giveaways. 

Enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend and discounts of up to 90% on your favourite brands and products—perfect for refreshing your wardrobe, upgrading your tech, or finding that ideal gift!

But that’s not all! Tune in to Shopee Live for a chance to win big! One lucky winner will walk away with part of the RM99,999 prize pool during our live game show. With exciting games, exclusive discounts, and limited-time offers, this is the shopping event you don’t want to miss!

Win Big With Shopee Live’s 9.9 Kotak Duit Misteri! 

From 2 - 9 September, participate in the special Kotak Duit Misteri game show for your chance to Win Up To RM99,999 with Shopee Live! To join, simply complete the milestones set during the live session, send the “keyword of the day” announced during the show to the Shopee Live team, and if selected, answer a simple question about Shopee correctly. 

After that, choose your lucky box from a set of six; each will contain various prize amounts, with one holding the grand prize! Psst, if you’re a Maybank Shopee credit card owner, you stand a chance to win an additional bonus prize worth RM500 - good luck!

Highlights of the 9.9 Super Shopping Day:

Free Shipping & up to 90% off Deals: Get ready to set your alarms! As the clock strikes 12 daily, Shopee will release a selection of exclusive vouchers that will allow shoppers to maximise their savings. From free shipping to incredible 90% off vouchers, it is the perfect time to score some deals from your favourite brands and sellers.

Best Look Forward: How Malaysian fashion sellers are seizing opportunities in e-commerce

 In today's fiercely competitive retail landscape, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the fashion industry encounter significant hurdles in captivating shoppers, even across e-commerce. Unlike other sectors, fashion MSMEs not only vie against each other but also contend with prominent, resource-rich brands with broad recognition. The vast array of online options available to consumers poses a challenge for smaller players to stand out. Constrained by limited budgets, manpower and tech limitations, coupled with the need to establish trust with potential customers, Malaysian MSMEs face an uphill battle in driving conversions and nurturing repeat business.

However, amidst these challenges, strategic solutions are available to support the growth of MSMEs. By focusing on outstanding customer service and customer-centric strategies, Malaysian businesses can stand out from the competition, forging strong, lasting relationships with shoppers. Beyond this, tools that help enhance the shopping experience, such as livestreaming, offer great potential for sellers to capture buyers online. Additionally, converting satisfied shoppers into advocates harnesses the power of positive word-of-mouth and glowing ratings and reviews, drives further growth, and helps establish a loyal customer base. 

Going Above and Beyond: Personalised fashion advice from Perak to nationwide 

One business that has achieved success through exceptional customer engagement is KM Fashion Center. Located in Teluk Intan, Perak, KM Fashion Center sets itself apart with stylish yet affordable fashion selections that resonate with Malaysian shoppers. Their dedication to excellence and affordability is complemented by a strong commitment to delivering a personalised customer-focused approach, positioning them uniquely in a competitive market.