Shopee Unveils How Malaysians Gear Up for Digital Inclusion

Shopee Malaysia officially unveils ‘Past the Starting Line: Adapting to Malaysia’s Digital Consumers in 2023’ Consumer Trends Report. Of 2,150 Malaysian buyers surveyed, 60% remain steadfast in achieving ambitions and enjoyment in e-commerce in 2023. In fact, buyers under categories such as Mobile & Accessories (61%), Automotive (60%), Fashion (59%), and Home & Living (59%) are becoming more tech-savvy and fully aware of their diverse needs in supporting local businesses for a future-forward economy.

1. Increased and savvier use of digital services

When asked what their New Year Resolutions are in 2023, 35% of Malaysians want to prioritise personal health and wellness this year. The degree to which they look to self-improve is spread: better lifestyle and living choices (26%), upskill and nurture hobbies (23%), and increase social confidence (16%). When thinking about discovering and buying items, 39% of buyers plan to buy more home and living products in 2023, 38% show interest in family essentials like household goods, 13% gain knowledge through books and games, and 10% equip themselves with workout and travel gear.

Because they are more digitally savvy and spending more time online in all parts of their consumer journey, 51% of buyers see the increased importance of greater personalization and shopping flexibility for the new year. In particular, 32% of Malaysians across all categories want to explore Shopee's circle deals and live shopping, and 17% want to embrace mindful shopping by being sustainable in support of local inclusive businesses. 

2. Growing adoption of digital services for rural communities

When Shopee asked the surveyed buyers about their interest in locally made goods from Borneo sellers, 5 in 10 buyers expressed interest in supporting local businesses in Borneo to improve their living standards. 35% consider shifting preferences to shop for more local goods, and the remainder carries on with their learned and adopted online shopping habits. Many are excited to support Made-in-Malaysia products from underserved communities in rural areas because of their high quality and durability. Sellers outside big cities can seek inspiration from Khairul Aming, local entrepreneur from Kelantan, who was awarded the Super Favourite MCO Entrepreneur at Shopee Super Awards 2022 for having remarkable growth through the support of loyal buyers.

“We continuously work with a user-centric approach to keep ourselves well-informed of the trends and buyer contexts to create a positive impact through our inclusive ecosystem. This helps us channel efforts and optimally address user needs to share the future of the digital economy. And thanks to all their efforts and blessings, Shopee ranks first in the YouGov Best Brand Ranking in Malaysia and won gold for Kantar’s Strongest Malaysian Brand in the ‘General Retailers’ and ‘Lifestyle App’ categories. We look forward to coming together, celebrating, and giving back to our local communities with greater hope so Malaysians can enjoy a joyful shopping experience,” said Kenneth Soh, Head of Marketing Campaigns at Shopee Malaysia.

3. The rise of younger, more purposeful buyers

With the rise of younger, more purposeful buyers, many will not compromise on principles. 7 in 10 Malaysians strive to make smarter purchasing decisions through insightful content such as product warranty, live demos, and unboxing to ensure the products they love are worth the value. Since buyers pay close attention to what a seller stands for and does, they can interact with Shopee’s diverse community of influencers and affiliates to discover and enjoy an authentic shopping experience.

Terence Pang, Chief Operations Officer at Shopee said, “We have seen in the past two years, how adoption of digital services like e-commerce can improve people’s lives and transform the way consumers and businesses connect. Despite many having come online, we’re only just past the starting line in Malaysia’s digital economy, with a greater long-term opportunity to help more people benefit. In the coming year, these digital consumers will continue to shape the future of the digital economy. Shopee is sharing key consumer trends we have observed that businesses need to adapt to, and those who do so, will lay the foundation for a resilient digital ecosystem that will enable them to reach more users in the future. We are committed to helping our partners understand these trends and unlock more opportunities.”

Buyers will continue to influence the future of the digital economy with higher expectations of their online interactions. 32% of buyers intend to spend more time in 2023 to de-stress and earn coins through Shopee Prizes. Over 29% choose to support local businesses and products via Shop Malaysia, 28% habitually find authentic and genuine goods at Shopee Mall, and the remainder follow trends and latest products sold on Shopee Live and donates to the underserved via ShopeeGivesBack.

‘Past the Starting Line: Adapting to Malaysia’s Digital Consumers in 2023’ Consumer Trends Report is part of Shopee’s thought leadership series. These data-driven insights allow online sellers and buyers to tap e-commerce and digital services to drive resilience and stay relevant. Further insights on Malaysian influencers will be shared in greater detail in the coming week.