The e-commerce industry of Southeast Asia (SEA) is on the rise. It is experiencing massive growth. The companies with big mega stores have also turned to e-commerce platforms. Are you curious to know the top e-commerce countries in this region? Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam are included in the list.
The SEA’s digital economy is mainly powered by internet connectivity, a young population, and growing economic prosperity. It is expected to reach 363 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. Considering the high potential, it would be a wise step to grow your e-commerce business in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia
Indonesia is making progress in e-commerce. Its growth can be witnessed by having the biggest online shopping markets in the region. The famous e-commerce stores in Indonesia are Lazada, JD, Shopee, and Tokopedia. To expand their online business in Indonesia, US e-commerce companies must use professional translation services. Are you wondering why? Businesses are more likely to gain more brand awareness and enhance their product visibility if they communicate with customers in their mother tongue. At present, two online stores, Bukalapak and Tokopedia, are doing well in this market, and they tend to expand their business outside the continent too. Do you know that most Indonesians are Muslims? Therefore, e-commerce companies sell halal products online. The halal product niche can help them reap high profits in the business.
Malaysia
Malaysia is another important country that has a lucrative e-commerce market. The most popular places to shop online are Shopee and PGMall. Almost everyone in Malaysia uses social media, which is a great tool for small businesses. They can easily sell their products online through social media platforms. Together with Singapore, Malaysia makes up almost half of the online shopping market that goes across borders. Malay-to-English and English to Malay translation services can help e-commerce businesses thrive in the Malaysian and global digital market. Moreover, it helps to build consumer trust in e-commerce. The scope of e-commerce in Malaysia looks promising with continuous technological advancements.
Philippines
The 115.6 billion population of the Philippines makes it a lucrative market. This e-commerce market has changed the way people operate businesses. Moreover, it has also greatly changed consumer behavior.
The most astonishing fact is that the Philippines has a low internet penetration rate when compared with other Southeast Asian countries, but still, an average Filipino spends approximately 4 hours daily. The e-commerce industry in the Philippines shows a cross-cultural business. It makes you think of the niche market that can help e-commerce companies penetrate.
Top-leading online stores in the Philippines are Lazada and Shopee, and local native e-commerce stores are Carousell and Argomall. The benefit of these local stores is that they know the local needs of the people. Therefore, they are catering to specific niches like pre-owned items and electronics.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s online shopping dynamics are more advanced than ever. The leading e-commerce platform is Shopee. The two homegrown giants are Gioi Di Dong and Dien May Xanh. Vietnam is also making a name for itself on the international stage. Professional English to Vietnamese translation services offer a golden opportunity for businesses to introduce fresh, innovative, and even niche products to this thriving market. Global companies that want to enter the e-commerce business in Vietnam must go for Vietnamese translation services. It is the best marketing strategy to persuade people to buy products and use their services.
Sectors related to home, beauty, lifestyle, and women’s fashion are the main items that are sold through e-commerce platforms in the country. Women between the ages of 25 and 35 are their main customers.
Thailand
The e-commerce landscape of Thailand is entirely different. Companies opt for influencer marketing to sell their products and services. International brands, if they want to sell their products in the Thai market, must take assistance from English to Thai translation services. This ensures that marketing materials and product information are accessible to Thai consumers.
To your surprise, 30% of Thailand’s e-commerce is not locally operated, but they are attracting cross-border consumers. The top leading e-commerce sites that are operating in Thailand are Jib, Hompro, Central, Lazada, and Shopee. Their well-organized logistics and top-tier delivery infrastructure provide clients with a hassle-free experience.
Thailand’s e-commerce market is quite mature. Also, most of the country’s population makes use of e-commerce platforms regularly. Last year, a consumer report concluded that 60% of the total e-commerce market deals with clothes and footwear, and 43.2 percent of the market is related to personal care. Moreover, 34.6% deals with food & beverages.
Wrapping Up
The above 5 markets have great potential to grow in e-commerce. Young and dynamic people with tech-related competencies create a landscape of successful e-commerce stores. To attract potential customers online, the e-commerce platforms need to translate the websites in the language that their target market understands. For this purpose, they must hire a professional translation agency that can provide them with seamless translations according to their e-commerce business requirements.
