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Top E-commerce Marketplaces in Malaysia to Sell Online

Chenxian Fu — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:56:52 +0000

Thinking of expanding your business to Southeast Asia? Asian markets have a solid cultural-economic relationship. And it’s a dynamic hub when it comes to the online market. So all you need is to know the right place to sell. In the region, Malaysia is one of the nations that has quickly adapted to technology and has much power and potential in this niche. So, is it the right place to step into? And what will be the right choice of marketplace to begin or expand with. Let’s find out!

We all know how buying anything is just a click away, and the place where the involvement is at its peak is none other than Malaysia. To prove it with facts, it records one of the highest internet penetration rates and the reason behind it is the extensive involvement of the middle class. The question that might come to your mind is, why only Malaysia? The correct answer to it is the marketplaces! Yes, designed with a customer-centric approach and easy-to-use design, it drives the middle class to be involved more on a day-to-day basis hence If I say that Malaysia is experiencing a tremendous e-commerce boom! Then you can definitely consider it as the right place to expand your business.

It’s a perfect opportunity for you to sell and capitalize on. Make your products available at every touch point. Therefore, out of all the available platforms, selling on the right marketplace is very crucial. Here we have listed the top marketplaces in Malaysia that can be beneficial for you to sell.

Top 6 E-commerce Marketplaces in Malaysia

Shopee
Lazada
TikTok Shop
Zalora
PG Mall
Youbeli

Let’s dive into the opportunity of online selling, we have prepared the following list of the top marketplaces in Malaysia to get, set, and jual! (sell)

1. Shopee

Shopee, with its powerful ASEAN presence in the sub-continent, is the first one on the list. Why is it the most popular among the sellers in Malaysia? The reason is that you don’t have to pay any registration fee to start selling. Go ahead and list your product with no registration fee, and the commission fee is also waived for the first 99 orders. Take your time to adjust to the marketplace and understand and plan your strategies. It won’t be a hefty expenditure to start selling on Shopee.

After registering and listing your product, the next most important thing is to promote it. Convert your ideas into revenues. You may think this would require a lot of money, but it’s not! step right in and make the most out of the attractive marketing deals that Shopee has for you. It even provides a live stream platform to access product-related content and interact directly with the sellers. Whether it’s the monthly campaigns or building a seller community, it has everything you need to start selling.

If you wish to bifurcate your audience into the invite-only category, then Shopee Mall also lets you create a retail space for that. Hence it not only offers communication with the seller community but also helps you categorize your audience by making a customer community that is central to the shopee and the seller. The customer-centric approach of this marketplace makes it easier for you to compete in the niche market as well. Sounds like a perfect marketplace, right?

Why should you sell on Shopee, here are the numbers:

Shipping: Fulfillment by Flashexpress (shopee-supported logistics). Some of the partners are DHL, Ninja Van, J&T Express, and Instant Delivery.
Monthly web visitors: 96.01 Million
Top selling categories: Home and Living, Health and Beauty, Food, and Beverage

2. Lazada

The next one we have on this list for you is Lazada! Founded by Rocket Internet in 2012 and with a significant appearance in six countries. It’s the customer’s favorite because of the significant discounts and attractive deals. It reaches a vast and diverse audience, which automatically increases the scope for your business to grow. Another reason to choose this as your platform to sell is the Alibaba group. The top-notch framework of Alibaba Group will benefit you in the most profitable way.

Want to step up your game from local to global? To be precise, if you are looking for a safer global reach rooted in the local marketplace, then Lazada can be a great start! It offers three types of selling on its platform. If your vision requires you to go beyond the boundaries, then Lazada will provide you with a purple ribbon and a ‘LazGlobal’ tag, and you are good to go to sell internationally!

We know that these benefits will concern you what if the commission rates are high for this marketplace? Well, for the first three months, you don’t even have to think about paying the commission fee. No matter what category of product you are dealing in. Laza will also offer you an in-house delivery matrix called Lalamove which is an efficient and reliable shipping solution. As this helps to earn customer loyalty, traffic, and exposure, You can easily rely on Lazada for your efficient selling game!

The list of reasons to sell on Lazada is quite significant because we have another thing called Lazcoins. As you start selling on this marketplace, you already have 8000 free seller coins. With this, you can attract more traffic by redeeming the coins based on the cost-per-click model.

Here is why Lazada is a good platform for you to sell

Shipping: In-house delivery matrix Lalamove and other partners like Ninja Van, Kex Express, Sky Net, Best Express, etc.
Monthly web visitors: 35.1 Million
Top categories: Consumer Electronics, Women’s Fashion, Personal Care

3. TikTok Shop

If you are looking for a standout platform to sell that keeps up with the trends, TikTok Shop is the place for you. We all know how those trendy short videos keep us tagged along for a long time, and we always see some products that leave us wondering. Searching for them is a big task, but a marketplace like TikTok makes it all easier for the customers as well as for you to sell.

TikTok shop allows you and different brands to sell products directly via videos, live streams, and product showcase pages. It will give an insightful experience to you about what the customer wants. It is a good platform that supports local SMEs for e-commerce. If you are one of them, then sell well at TikTok Shop!

When it comes to a marketplace like this, authenticity becomes a concern from the customer’s perspective. If your product is correct and you don’t want to lose your authenticity game to the fake-money-making vendors who are there for a short while but gain all the profits, then your TikTok shop is a place for you! You can earn an added stamp of authenticity after going through the approval process and become a consistent and authentic seller at the most profitable platform. This step unveils your potential growth. And even the commission fee will be 0% for the time being as you start to sell with no relation to the number of followers.

Following are the numbers why selling at TikTok is a good choice –

Shipping: TikTok Shop Logistics and some sellers can choose their own shipping carriers
Top Selling Categories: Skincare, Makeup, and Electronics

4. Zalora

Is your target market people of 25-35 years of age who are fashion enthusiasts? Then Zalora has it all for you. A large part of the audience visiting Zalora is their active customers. Isn’t this a great deal as a fashion seller? Providing authentic luxury products is something that Zalora is trusted by its audience. Hence, it can turn into a successful big shot to get exposure to this platform and compete with the brands to make a statement!

Zalora offers two types of business models for you. It’s your choice which one suits you to make your fashion statement more bold! If you want to deal on the wholesale level, you can give your inventory to Zalora, and then they will sell it to the customers. This includes the operational management and inventory management being performed by Zalora itself. But If this is not what you are looking for, you can function over the marketplace model, which will offer you control over the operations and marketing. According to your needs and requirements, a seller can alter the degree of partnership with Zalora.

Let’s see why you should choose to sell in Zalora Malaysia –

Shipping: DHL, Ninajavan, 2Go, POS Laju
Monthly web visitors: 59 Million
Top Selling Categories: Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle

5. PG Mall

If you are already in Malaysia and your plan is to promote local products and handicrafts. Then, congratulations! Your approach lies with PG Mall and it is the right choice to sell here! PG Mall offers a no-registration model, so listing out your products becomes completely free. Along with this, the transactional fee is also at a lower extreme in comparison to the other marketplaces.

Even if you want to upload your products in bulk, you are making a hassle-free choice by selling at PG mall. With the API services and no cost, bulk uploads are another plus feature of PG Mall. They provide both online and offline marketing campaigns for free. Hence you will save a big crunch here, too!

18 nationwide studios and mega seminars, it not only facilitates selling but also emphasizes networking and community building. Sounds like a great deal, right?

Let’s see why PG Mall will benefit you as a seller –

Shipping: Easy Parcel, DHL Express, Aftership
Monthly Web Visitors: 16.8+ Million
Top Selling Categories: Fashion, Electronics, Home and Living

6. Youbeli

Owned by Youbuy Online Sdn Bhd, Youbeli is one of people’s favorite platforms in Malaysia to shop online. One thing that ensures you for this marketplace is no hidden fee model. You don’t have to worry about those annual fees, and no registration fee will mean no registration fee without any hidden tweaks. Here, transparency is not only for the customers but for you as well, so that you can have an easy going functioning to sell!

A multiple-language system and cross-border trading will inculcate benefits both for you and your customers. So, your potential reaches the best by selling at Youbeli. Another plus point is that you can list your product for free. Adding more to its features for sellers, Youbeli also has a 7-working-day settlement period which solves a lot for the back end and helps to gain trust from the customers.

With its fixed amount of a 4% commission fee and 2% payment gateway fee, Youbeli brings transparency for you and not just the customers. As it offers multiple categories, there’s a reasonable probability that it covers your product too. With its amazing deals, Youbeli has a space for you!

Let’s check out some numbers on why Youbeli is a beneficial marketplace to sell –

Shipping: POS Laju, Sky Net, TNT, Aramex
Monthly web Visitors: 113 Thousand
Top selling categories: Babies and Toys, Fashion and Groceries

Are You Ready to Dive Into Selling Online?

With all the available options of marketplaces, we have listed a few that can be a good start for you and if you are an existing seller, they can provide you with new booming opportunities. The online presence plays a vital role in the success of the selling game along with the marketing strategies, getting to know your target audience and how they are evolving with their needs.

To keep up with that, your product and service should also be top-notch. There’s a lot to do in this sense as a seller. So why not make some part of selling hassle-free? A lot from your plate can be taken over by technology, making the functioning smooth and efficient.

The right provider can manage the warehouse, your inventory, and orders with the power of clicks. As a seller, a lot of time and energy is saved from here then can be invested efficiently in other areas. The customer-centric approach is the new avenger approach of online selling, letting the technology solutions handle things at the backend. Malaysia is a dynamic, growing business potential for sellers, and we wish the best for you. Happy selling!

Why E-commerce Marketplace Integration is Important for Multichannel Sellers

Team Unicommerce — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:29:24 +0000

E-commerce businesses thrive on continued revenue growth. Globally in just over a decade e-commerce business has grown in leaps and bounds, and has changed the way how people do shopping. Led mostly by B2C behemoths like eBay and Amazon, the goal of e-commerce businesses worldwide today is to satisfy as many customers as possible alongside continually scaling up their website traffic, thereby increasing their reach. Many of these e-commerce businesses are opting for a multi-channel business model to boost their business, but this has many challenges. Some of the challenges faced by e-commerce sellers in a multi-channel model are lack of consistent branding and messaging across various channels; difficulty with inventory management for each channel and chances of inventory mixup; managing multiple relationships with customers across various channels but it is not only time-consuming but also expensive.

What is E-commerce Marketplace Integration?

This API-based tool serves as a two-way link between multiple online marketplaces and a single selling platform. The e-commerce marketplace integration facilitate multi-channel sales by combining different e-commerce processes, establishing connections with inventory, and transferring data from multiple channels into a single operational platform in real-time.

It allows you to organise your product lists with various online marketplaces, such as Lazada, Noon, Walmart, Amazon, and more. There are many benefits of e-commerce marketplace integration. This tool can allow you to manage your day-to-day activities, such as uploading new product details, downloading pending orders, printing invoices, generating labels, printing dispatch manifests, tracking orders and shipments, checking and updating inventory stock, and more.

What are the Benefits of E-commerce Marketplace Integration?

1. Reduces Manual Selling Process

E-commerce marketplace integration eliminates most manual processes by streamlining the entire workflow, including product upload, figure updates, order management, etc.

2. Faster Data Transfer

Real-time connection of APIs of all seller platforms ensures the data flow is fast and secure. Each data transfer call is validated. It eliminates friction in data flow between marketplaces to online stores and inventory, cutting down errors.

3. No Switch Between Platforms

One of the best benefits of marketplace integration is that it eliminates switching between platforms to manage activities. Instead, you can manage all activities from a single dashboard. E-commerce marketplace integration also allows sellers like you to save time and effort by making the selling process much easier. This way, you can devote time to other critical matters.

4. Cover More Channels

Integration increases product visibility through improved listing performance. It gives sellers like you the freedom to connect your portal to many marketplaces.

5. Beat Competition

Another benefit is that it allows e-commerce sellers to compete more efficiently. You can claim the buy box every time by repricing products as needed. You can also manage discounts and provide consistency across all marketplaces.

6. Boost Inventory Visibility

Using multichannel inventory control software you can centralise data across all channels. The biggest benefit is that you can monitor inventory across all of its stocking points. This gives you the freedom to choose the next cheapest shipping location if a default location is unviable or if the default location is out-of-stock product you can deliver it from the next nearest location..

7. Reach More Audience

Another benefit is that selling on multiple platforms empowers to boost brand recognition. It allows you to grab new audiences by displaying your products across multiple platforms, and establishing a brand presence across multiple channels.

8. Improve Demand Sensing

E-commerce marketplace integration enables one to avoid overstocking. It happens due to poor planning and anticipation of demand fluctuation, thanks to poor forecasting and data collection. A multichannel inventory control software provides you with accurate sales forecasts, enabling you to avoid an oversupply or undersupply situation, thereby eating into the margins of a business.

9. Cut Errors

E-commerce marketplace integration ensures a seamless integration of all processes thereby cutting down any chances of errors that can affect your daily operation.

What are the Features of E-commerce Marketplace Integration?

1. Centralised Dashboard

An intuitive centralised dashboard enables you to analyze your sales campaign performance across various marketplaces. It enables tracking top-selling products in the marketplace, account-wise orders summary, recent orders, lifetime sales, monthly sales records, and more. E-commerce integration enables data flow between marketplaces and inventory via a single dashboard, making it easier for you to take all the necessary actions.

2. Real-Time Updates

Real-time communication between various platforms is one of the essential features of e-commerce marketplace integration. It ensures that all the figures, including inventory, orders, and product details, are updated in real-time. It enables you to eliminates chances of overselling or underselling, allowing you to sell products across multiple platforms by maintaining optimum stock levels.

3. Automated Crons

E-commerce marketplace integration comes with a feature of automated crons that enables eliminating manual errors. Crons are, in reality, commands that nudge the server to execute a predetermined process on time. It saves you the hassle of performing the same functions repeatedly, allowing you to focus on other essential functions. It also allows you to improve the pace of data exchange between various platforms.

4. Manage and Upload Products in Bulk

E-commerce marketplace Integration allows you to upload bulk products from your online store to the marketplace in just one single click. This enables you to manage your product catalogue smoothly without much fuss and dedicate more time towards other important activities.

5. Centralised Order Management

This is one of those features of e-commerce marketplace integration that allows sellers to execute all types of order-related operations like accept, reject, ship, or delete orders from multiple platforms via one centralised location. E-commerce sellers can lose existing or potential customers if they cannot manage online orders on time. A centralised order management system ensures that sellers are not required to log in to multiple platforms to manage their orders.

6. Multiple Seller Account Support

Marketplace integration allows you to easily manage multi-channel accounts through the same marketplace simultaneously, irrespective of geographical boundaries. Using this, you can sell the same inventory using multiple accounts from a single location.

7. Automated Shipment & Tracking

E-commerce marketplace integration facilitates the automatic shipment of inventory. Centralised inventory management software allows you to connect with leading carriers to ensure each order is fulfilled and products are seamlessly delivered to customers on time. You can also track a shipment in real-time using marketplace integration. Once the product is released for delivery, all other details such as billing/shipping address, shipping carrier, tracking code, live location are shared with sellers to monitor from their own web portal.

8. Automated Live Notifications

E-commerce marketplace integration ensures that you get automated live notifications on your web portal. You can get instant updates on any new order received or rejected, low inventory, etc., live on your portal. You can further customise the marketplace for more live notifications.

Conclusion

Marketplace integration in e-commerce is essential for multi-channel e-commerce sellers like you, as it allows you the flexibility to sell across multiple channels through a single platform. It also enables you to consistently target more customers across various geographical regions and get real-time updates in order distribution. Most importantly, it reduces the manual effort of switching between various channels, thereby allowing you to upload products in bulk. It gives you more time at hand to devote to other critical processes.

How to Sell on Noon: Become a Top Seller on Noon in the Middle East

Team Unicommerce — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:57:10 +0000

E-commerce in the Middle East is developing at a great pace and online selling has become the new normal for retailers and brands in the Middle East due to a sudden shift seen in the behavior of customers.

The reasons for such a shift in behaviour is because of the variety of options available for consumers to shop from, the lower priced options and the convenience to get things delivered right at their doorsteps.

Sell on Noon in the Middle East

In order to make the most of the current situation of eCommerce in the GCC region, selling on the top online marketplaces and websites becomes important.

One of the biggest marketplaces in the GCC region is Noon, a fully homegrown digital marketplace that has been active since 2017.

Read this article to know more about the Omnichannel Retail Trends in the Middle East

Noon is a well-renowned marketplace with the biggest number of online sellers and a variety of products available. The platform is suitable for sellers who wish to sell new, used or refurbished products with the freedom to have complete visibility and control over their sales, operations, etc.

The platform provides two modes of selling, one that is known as Noon FBN or fulfilled by noon and the other as B2B to give flexible options to businesses.

But you may wonder, why exactly should you start selling on Noon and what all benefits can the platform offer to your business? Read on to find out.

Why Become a Seller on Noon?

Noon had recently concluded one of the biggest sales in the Middle East named Yellow Friday Sale for a full week starting November 24th 2020 until November 29th 2020. To make the sale even bigger, Noon got the biggest Bollywood Starts including Shah Rukh Khan to encourage shoppers to shop during the sale by sharing a video message.

The Yellow Friday sale was started in 2018 by the marketplace to engage more and more audiences, provide them with amazing offers and discounts and ultimately increase profits and boost sales. The event became a huge success in the very first year, and seeing that Noon came back with an even bigger sale this year, 25 million sized sales to be exact!

The leading marketplace offered discounts up to 80% on the original price and sold items from almost all product lines, including beauty, gadgets, accessories, clothes and a lot more, the sale saw a massive jump in terms of profits and customer footfall.

With such a large customer base and more than thousands of sellers already present on the platform, it is quite understandable why you need to start your e-commerce selling at Noon.

Apart from just the why, you also get a plethora of benefits when you begin selling from the platform, some of which include:

Great exposure to audiences
More traffic on your website/online store
Increase in the pool of customers
More trust amongst shoppers to buy from you
Little to no requirement of having your own workspace
Lesser manual dependency
More to learn with the help of Noon support and teaching centres

Now that you know why, let us move on to the how, as in what are the methods and steps to start selling on the platform.

How to Become a Seller on Noon?

In order to begin your eCommerce sales on Noon, there are certain requirements that you need to fulfil based on which you will be eligible to become a Noon seller and take your eCommerce business to the next level.

1. For Registration

The first of it all is to own a valid trading license and be a registered company in the UAE, KSA and Egypt. For those who have a license, the next step is to create an account on Noon.com, submit copies of all the required documents and pay a small amount known as a noon seller fees.

The list of important paper you need to have by your side when registering on the platform include:

Trading license or Commercial Registration
Passport or Residence ID
Residence VIsa for non-nationals
Proof of purchase/invoice
Letter from distribution authorization, or a manufacturer permit/certificate
VAT certificate or VAT non-enrollment declaration for those who aren’t registered

Once you are done with the documentation process, you need to wait for a week in order for the noon seller support team to check and validate the information shared by you and help you with any noon seller training if required.

2. For Payments

After your account is live, you need to give bank details in order to receive payments for all your sales and purchases. For that you need to provide the below details on a signed and stamped company letterhead:

Legal name of the company
Bank account number
Iban
Swift code
Bank branch
Store currency (once chosen, it wouldn’t be possible to change it in the future)
Cancelled check that has company’s legal name, the bank account number, and IBAN

3. For Fulfilment

Post activation of your account, you can choose either one of Noon fulfilment options that the platform offers or even go with both the options as long as your inventory is kept separately for each of the options.

Noon B2B Fulfilment

Going for the basic B2B or Back to Back selling mode of fulfilment, you are in charge of handling and maintaining your products. Once you receive an order the Noon logistics team known as noon express picks up the order from your facility and takes it to their own fulfilment centre from where it is packed, shipped and delivered.

The advantage of choosing this mode of operation is that you get to have complete control of the pricing, processing and quality of your products.

Noon FBN

When you choose Noon FBN or Fulfilled by noon, you allow the marketplace to store your products in their own fulfilment centres, manage and maintain it and deliver to the customers from there itself.

The benefit of choosing this mode of operation is that you only have to focus on promoting your business and fixing the prices. All of these are the legal requirements that you must have in order to be a Noon seller but just beginning on the marketplace will not give you immediate profits, you require the right technology support to handle your operations, maintain your inventory, order and fulfilment, manage warehouse operations and much more.

Let’s Start Selling on Noon!

Selling on Noon is not just about listing your products; it’s about leveraging the platform’s reach and capabilities to grow your business. With its user-friendly interface, robust fulfillment options, and supportive seller environment, Noon stands out as a premier destination for e-commerce in the Middle East. By embracing this platform, businesses can significantly expand their customer base, increase their sales, and establish a strong presence in the rapidly growing digital marketplace

How Robust Marketplace Integration Transforms E-commerce Order Management

Team Unicommerce — Tue, 09 May 2023 07:04:01 +0000

E-commerce order management is the back-end process for managing and fulfilling online orders. It’s responsible for ensuring that when a customer clicks “Buy Now,” everything flows seamlessly from there on. This encompasses a wide range of tasks, from routing orders and generating shipping labels to handling returns and managing refunds.

The significance of effective e-commerce order management cannot be overstated. It directly impacts customer satisfaction, which in turn affects your business’s reputation and bottom line. One key aspect that plays a pivotal role in the efficiency of e-commerce order management is marketplace integration.

The Role of Marketplace Integration in Order Management

Marketplace integration refers to the process of connecting your single selling platform with various online marketplaces, creating a seamless flow of information between your store and external platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and others.

This integration enables a centralized management system, streamlining various aspects of e-commerce order management. It acts as a bridge that brings together your product listings, inventory management, order processing, and customer data, creating a unified and synchronized ecosystem.

Let’s take the case of a small business owner who sells handmade crafts on both their Shopify store and Flipkart. Before, they had to manually update product listings, inventory levels, and order statuses on each platform separately.

However, after getting an Order Management System with integrated marketplaces, when a sale occurs on Flipkart, the inventory levels are automatically updated on both Flipkart and their Shopify store. Additionally, order details are seamlessly synchronized, eliminating the need for manual input and reducing the chances of errors.

Benefits of E-commerce Marketplace Integrations

Here are some advantages of integrating marketplaces with your single selling platform:

1. Streamlined Processes and Reduced Errors

Marketplace integration eliminates manual data entry of orders on multiple channels, reducing the chances of errors and ensuring that information is consistently updated across all platforms. This streamlining of processes leads to a more efficient and error-free order management system.

RSA Global, a Dubai-based digital supply chain and e-commerce logistics solutions provider, recognized the importance of modernizing its logistics operations. To gain access to widely-used e-commerce marketplaces, RSA Global opted for robust order management.

The system seamlessly facilitated RSA’s integration with Amazon, Noon, and Custom Website (WooCommerce). These integrations allowed for real-time data synchronization, simplifying data exchange and reducing the risk of manual errors.

2. Real-Time Inventory Management on All Sales Channels

This integration extends beyond order management, enabling the synchronization of inventory levels across all connected marketplaces and the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) store. By creating a unified inventory source for all platforms, this approach streamlines processes and enhances inventory forecasting capabilities, preventing challenges like overselling or stockouts.

A well-known footwear brand, Neeman’s, required diverse marketplace integrations such as Amazon, Flex, Flipkart, and Shopify, Neeman’s implemented a solution to seamlessly integrate its inventory and manage orders across all required platforms. This has significantly contributed to Neeman’s ability to maintain a steady inventory flow, meeting the demands of its tech-savvy customer base with efficiency.

3. Automated Order Processing

As your business scales, manually processing orders becomes impractical. Marketplace integration establishes seamless connections between the business’s selling platform and various online marketplaces. This integration allows for the automatic transmission of order details, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors.

The integrated system automatically updates order statuses, providing customers with timely information about their purchases from confirmation to delivery. Automated order processing expedites fulfillment tasks, ensuring products are picked, packed, and dispatched efficiently. The result is a smoother transaction process and reduced manpower costs.

4. Seamless Returns Management

Efficient returns management in e-commerce is achieved through the seamless integration of marketplace platforms with a robust Order Management System (OMS). This integration centralizes returns processing, allowing businesses to handle both Customer-Initiated Returns (CIRs) and Returns to Origin (RTO) with ease.

The streamlined communication between multiple sales channels ensures real-time data exchange, reducing manual intervention and enhancing visibility into return trends. The automated features of the OMS, such as generating return labels and updating inventory levels, contribute to cost reduction by minimizing manual efforts.

5. Data-Driven Decision-Making

Marketplace integration serves as a powerful tool for businesses, consolidating data from diverse platforms to facilitate informed decision-making. By seamlessly connecting with various online marketplaces, businesses gain access to a wealth of information, including customer behavior, sales trends, and product performance.

Analyzing trends becomes more nuanced as businesses can identify patterns in consumer preferences, popular products, and peak buying periods. The real-time synchronization of data ensures that businesses are working with the most current information, enhancing the accuracy of trend analysis.

Let’s Leverage the Power of Marketplace Integrations!

A well-functioning order management system is crucial for the success of any e-commerce business. Marketplace integration emerges as a key player, seamlessly connecting your single selling platform with external marketplaces for a smoother operation. Any business that is not capitalizing on the power of marketplace integrations may find itself navigating unnecessary challenges.

In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, where every click counts, the imperative is to leverage this integration as a strategic advantage. Therefore, the call to action is clear, let’s leverage the power of marketplace integrations to propel your e-commerce business forward.

Explore our platforms:

Top E-commerce Marketplaces for Businesses in the Philippines

Team Unicommerce — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:18:42 +0000

The Philippines’ e-commerce industry has been experiencing remarkable growth in recent years. In fact, according to market research firm Global Data, it is expected to grow at 17% (CAGR) through 2025, supported by the rising number of social media users and digital natives in the region.

This trend has led to the emergence of various e-commerce marketplaces, each offering its own unique features and benefits. If you want to stay competitive in this ever-changing market, it’s important to understand the e-commerce ecosystem and choose the right marketplace for your business.

Whether you’re a seasoned online retailer or a newbie looking to dip your toes into the world of e-commerce, this guide will help you navigate the top marketplaces in the Philippines and enable you to make informed decisions about which platforms to use to reach your customers.

Top E-commerce Marketplaces in the Philippines

Here are the top e-commerce marketplaces in the Philippines that offer a wealth of opportunities for both buyers and sellers:

1. Lazada

Founded in 2012, Lazada has quickly risen to become one of the most prominent marketplaces in the Philippines. Lazada’s impact on the retail industry in the Philippines has been significant, thanks to its commitment to delivering a seamless online shopping experience to millions of customers.

In 2021, Lazada’s Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) reached an astounding $21 billion, cementing its position as a household name for Filipinos who prefer to shop online.

Commission Structure: Ranging from 1% to 5%, depending on the product category
Shipping: Fulfillment by Lazada (FBL). Lazada’s courier partners include Ninja Van, Entrego, Ximex Delivery Express, JRMT, and QDX.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 37 million
Top Selling Categories: Electronics, fashion, home and living

Many businesses have had success selling on Lazada and have shared their stories online. For example, Mayette Jequinto, CEO of Plus Size Boutique, shares how Lazada has been instrumental in the growth of her business.

Read: How to Sell on Lazada Marketplace in the Southeast Asia

2. Shopee

Launched in Singapore in 2015, Shopee has successfully expanded across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, attracting millions of buyers and sellers. One of the key reasons behind Shopee’s success is its user-friendly interface, which enables buyers to browse products seamlessly and sellers to set up their online stores quickly and efficiently.

According to Shopee’s financial report for the third quarter of 2021, the company’s GMV in the Philippines reached $6.2 billion, representing a 74.3% year-over-year increase.

Commission Structure: Ranging from 2.5% to 4% (Applicable to local Marketplace sellers with ≥ 100 completed orders)
Shipping: Fulfillment by Shopee (FBS). Shopee courier partnerships include J&T Express, XDE, and 2GO. They also offer free shipping promotions to incentivize customers.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 72 million
Top Selling Categories: Electronics, fashion, and beauty. Local brands such as Cherry Mobile and Human Nature are popular in electronics and beauty, respectively.

Big brands such as Unilever have recognized the significant impact of e-commerce platforms like Shopee in the Philippines. According to Jackie Manago Nepomuceno, the Digital Commerce Marketing Manager at Unilever Philippines, Shopee is a strategic partner that helps drive a seamless shopping experience for the omnichannel shopper.

Read: How To Sell on Shopee in the Southeast Asia

3. Zalora

Zalora is a popular lifestyle marketplace that has been operating in the Philippines since 2012. While Zalora’s market share is not as significant as Lazada’s, it has still managed to establish a loyal customer base in the Philippines.

The platform offers a wide range of products across various categories, including fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, and has become one of the leading online retailers in the country.

Commission Structure: Ranging from 10% to 30%, depending on the type and range of the products
Shipping: Zalora uses different courier partners such as LBC, Entrego, 2GO, 7-Eleven, and DHL to deliver customer packages.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 1.8 million
Top Selling Categories: Fashion, beauty, and sportswear. Some local brands popular on Zalora are Penshoppe, Bench, Mango, and more.

4. eBay

This global marketplace has firmly established itself in the Philippines, providing retailers with a reliable platform for selling their products. The platform’s extensive user base and global reach provide an unparalleled opportunity for sellers to connect with a vast pool of potential buyers.

Popular for its auction-style listings, eBay also offers a more conventional B2C marketplace through its eBay Store feature. It allows merchants to offer their products alongside established brands, providing a diverse selection of goods for shoppers.

Commission Structure: Ranging from 8% to 10% on the total transaction value. It is important to note that eBay Philippines also charges additional fees for certain services such as listing upgrades, international selling, and PayPal transactions.
Shipping: eBay Philippines does not have a specific shipping type or carrier that sellers are required to use. Instead, sellers are free to choose the shipping method that works best for them and their buyers.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 28 million
Top Selling Categories: Consumer electronics and gadgets, Fashion and clothing, and Health and beauty products.

Check out what Jeptall and Agsbeagle have to say about how selling on eBay has helped them maintain a work-life balance.

5. TikTok Shop

TikTok’s massive user base in the Philippines made it an attractive platform for businesses to sell their products; therefore, it has recently launched its own e-commerce feature called TikTok Shop. The innovative e-commerce marketplace brings together sellers, buyers, and creators, all within the TikTok app.

It offers an integrated shopping experience, enabling users to discover and purchase products without leaving the app. Local brands and businesses are also leveraging TikTok Shop to reach a broader audience and grow their sales.

Commission Structure: To incentivize online retailers, TikTok only charges 1% payment service fees and 0% commission fees.
Shipping: Sellers can choose their own logistics partner or opt for TikTok Shop’s logistics services. TikTok Shop courier partnerships include Ninja Van for SEA logistics.
Monthly App Visitors: Over 43 million
Top Selling Categories: Fashion, clothing, beauty, and home decor

Many online businesses have experienced remarkable success by selling their products on eBay. Check out what Grace Mauyao, the CEO of Botanical Boon Health and Beauty Products, has to say about how eBay simplified their online selling.

6. FB Marketplace

Despite being less hyped than other platforms, Facebook Marketplace is a popular choice for local buyers and sellers to connect. With just a few clicks, users can snap a photo of the item, add a description, set an asking price, and publish their listing.

The integration with Facebook Messenger further simplifies the process, allowing for easy communication and negotiation between parties.

Commission Structure: Unlike other e-commerce platforms, Facebook Marketplace does not charge fees for listing or selling products.
Shipping: The seller ships the item directly to the buyer.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 79.6 million
Top Selling Categories: Fashion apparel, furniture, home decor, and electronics.

7. Carousell

Carousell is a highly popular B2C and C2C online marketplace where people can buy and sell both new and secondhand goods. Carousell is renowned as one of the leading e-commerce sites in the Philippines, with a large following in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Thanks to its user-friendly interface, easy-to-navigate categories, and extensive range of products, Carousell has become a go-to destination for people looking to buy and sell goods online.

Commission Structure: Sellers have to pay a fee to post ads, and costs vary by category.
Shipping: Carousell courier partnerships include GrabExpress, Lalamove, AngkasPadala, MrSpeedy, Transportify, LBC Express, 2GO Express, and DHL Express.
Monthly App Visitors: Around 2.3 million
Top Selling Categories: Cars, property, fashion, home and living

8. Metrodeal

Metrodeal is an undisputed market leader in Southeast Asia when it comes to discount vouchers for retail, dining, leisure, and travel. The easy-to-use platform makes it simple to upload your deals and reach a massive audience of deal-hunters.

It is primarily a platform for purchasing vouchers for products and services rather than physical products. You just have to visit the website to register and fill-in the needed details. The account executives will contact you as soon as they have available slots.

Shipping: Shipping type will depend on the seller and the product being shipped. Metrodeal may offer various shipping options, such as standard shipping, express shipping, or local pickup.
Monthly Web Visitors: 77,000
Top Selling Categories: Travel deals, dining deals, health and beauty deals.

Let’s Make Selling Easy!

Meanwhile, as you look for the right marketplaces to sell on, it’s also important to be ready with the right technology provider to help you streamline your orders, inventory, and warehouse. This will give you the ease and flexibility to sell on multiple marketplaces, making your business more efficient and profitable.

Whether you’re a small business owner just starting out or a large enterprise looking to expand your reach, the Philippines’ e-commerce marketplaces offer plenty of opportunities for growth and success.

So go ahead and explore the options available, weigh the pros and cons, and take the leap toward expanding your business in the world of e-commerce. Who knows, you might just find the perfect marketplace to take your business to new heights!

Explore our platforms:

The post Top E-commerce Marketplaces for Businesses in the Philippines appeared first on unicommerce.com.

Top E-commerce Marketplaces for Businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Team Unicommerce — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:19:24 +0000

The e-commerce landscape in the UAE is on the verge of a seismic shift. In fact, according to Statista, it is projected to boast a staggering 8 million users, a testament to the nation’s appetite for online shopping. As of 2023, user penetration already stands at an impressive 79.2%, and this figure is poised to surge to 82.0% within the next four years.

These statistics paint a vivid picture of the flourishing e-commerce market, offering opportunities for sellers to establish their presence. This rapid growth of the e-commerce ecosystem has also given rise to multiple marketplaces. Sellers looking to stay competitive should choose the right marketplace for their business.

It is also important to recognize the thriving categories driving this expansion. As of 2023, the top segments capturing the attention of online shoppers in the UAE include Fashion and Apparel, Electronics and Gadgets, Beauty and Cosmetics, Perfumes, Dry Fruits, Baby Products, Health and Wellness, and more. Understanding these popular categories is key to tailoring your business strategy and product offerings to cater to the preferences of the local consumer base.

So, whether you are an established online retailer or a newcomer looking to venture into the world of e-commerce, this comprehensive guide will serve as your compass, helping you navigate the top marketplaces in the United Arab Emirates.

Top E-commerce Marketplaces in the UAE

Here are the top e-commerce marketplaces in the UAE offering abundant opportunities for both buyers and sellers:

Amazon

Building on its global reputation, Amazon ventured into the UAE market, offering an expansive range of products and services tailored to the local audience. The online retailer established a presence in the Middle East through the acquisition of Souq.com, which was later rebranded to Amazon.ae for the UAE.

Commission Structure: Starting from 5% or min 1.0 AED to 15% per item, depending on the product category
Shipping Mechanism: Amazon UAE operates on three models:
1. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) model, which allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping. Amazon’s local courier partners include Emirates Post, Aramex, SkyNet, PostaPlus, Shipa, and Naqel.
2. Easy Ship model, the orders are picked up from the seller’s location by an Amazon Logistics delivery associate and delivered to the buyers’ doorstep.
3. Self-Ship model, which allows sellers to ship products using their own delivery partners.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 16 million
Top Selling Categories: Electronics, Beauty, Fashion, and Health

Amazon has acted as a springboard for numerous businesses in the UAE. A testament to its influence is reflected in the words of Dr. Sakher Al-Amir, Chairman of Kyan Medical, a leading medical distributor in the region, “Since we started selling on Amazon, our sales have increased by eight to nine times.”

Noon

Founded in 2016, Noon has rapidly grown its presence across the Middle East, with a significant footprint in the UAE. It has become a household name for many consumers looking for a wide range of products. What truly distinguishes Noon is the simplicity and accessibility it offers to sellers.

Within a mere 48 working hours, individuals from any location can become registered sellers at Noon. Additionally, the payment system is remarkably hassle-free, guaranteeing that revenue is disbursed weekly without any delays or deferred payments.

Noon operates as a multinational marketplace, and UAE constitutes the largest contributor to its Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).

Commission Structure: Ranging from 4% to 27% per item, depending on the product type
Shipping Mechanism: Noon operates on two models:
1. Fulfilled by Noon (FBN) or Noon Express allows sellers to store products within Noon’s customer fulfillment centers (CFCs). Opting for FBN means that Noon manages the inventory and handles customer orders, ensuring prompt shipping to customers on the seller’s behalf. Noon also takes care of customer inquiries and returns. All FBN items are prominently labeled as ‘Noon Express,’ allowing customers to filter and identify them easily. FBN is popular among customers due to its promise of delivering orders within 24 hours of purchase.
2. Fulfilled by Partner (FBP), where sellers retain their inventory in their own location. Sellers accept incoming orders through Noon Seller Lab, prepare the items for shipping, and then hand them over to Noon Logistics, either via pick-up or drop-off at a Noon hub.
Monthly Web Visitors: Approximately 3.8 million

Multinational companies like El Sewedy recognized the pivotal role that Noon played in their success journey. Ayman Osama, Business Agent at El Sewedy, shared their journey from initially selling five SKUs to now offering well over 200 SKUs from a wide range of globally recognized mobile brands.

Carrefour

Established in the region in 1995 through a strategic partnership with the UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Group, Carrefour has since become a dominant retail force in over 30 markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Carrefour’s unique business model empowers brands to showcase their products across both online and offline platforms.

By collaborating with Carrefour, brands transition from mere suppliers to strategic partners, amplifying their presence in one of the world’s most dynamic retail landscapes.

Monthly Web Visitors: Around 1.3 million
Top Selling Categories: Groceries, Electronics, Clothing, and Household Items

Sharaf DG

Founded in 2005, Sharaf DG is one of the leading electronics retailers in the UAE. With its strong presence both online and offline, Sharaf DG has become a trusted name for consumers looking for electronics, gadgets, and a wide range of other products.

The retailer allows businesses to list their products, giving them complete control over inventory and sales performance. Sellers can work with a fixed margin or a minimum guaranteed margin, and they can monitor the customer journey and product views both online and in physical stores.

Founded: In 2005
Monthly Web Visitors: Approximately 1.3 million

DubaiStore

DubaiStore is a unique online marketplace launched by Digital Economy Solutions, a joint venture between Dubai’s Department of Economic Development and Emaratech. Established to support local businesses and SMEs, DubaiStore offers a platform for licensed businesses in the UAE to showcase and sell their products online without the need for individual e-commerce infrastructure.

What sets DubaiStore apart is its commitment to promoting local businesses. It provides a secure and transparent platform for both buyers and sellers, ensuring that all transactions are safe and trustworthy.

Commission Structure: 4-15% per item, depending on product category
Shipping Mechanism: DubaiStore has partnered with multiple logistics providers to ensure timely and efficient delivery of products.
Monthly Web Visitors: Around 480K
Top Selling Categories: Electronics, Beauty & Fragrance, Home & Kitchen, and Baby Products

Namshi

Namshi was founded in 2011 and quickly established itself as one of the leading online fashion and beauty marketplaces in the UAE. Headquartered in Dubai, this marketplace primarily focuses on offering a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products. The e-commerce marketplace Noon successfully acquired Namshi, further consolidating its presence in the online retail space.

Known for its user-friendly website and mobile app, Namshi makes it easy for customers to browse and shop for fashion and lifestyle products. They offered multiple filters and search options to help customers find what they were looking for.

Commission Structure: 12-16% per item, depending on the product type
Monthly Web Visitors: Approximately 360K

Let’s Sell Efficiently on the Top E-commerce Marketplaces in the UAE!

UAE’s e-commerce sector is in the midst of an exciting growth phase, presenting a wealth of opportunities for businesses. It’s essential to understand and leverage the potential of the leading e-commerce marketplaces in the country, such as Amazon, Noon, Dubai Store, and more.

These marketplaces are not only prominent but also highly user-friendly on both Android and iOS platforms. This user-friendliness ensures that your products are readily accessible to a broad audience, making it easier for you to connect with your customers.

However, it is equally important to remember that efficient management of your e-commerce operations is essential for success. Whether you choose any marketplace, leveraging the right technology and logistics providers can streamline your operations and help you make the most of the e-commerce opportunities in the UAE.

By making informed choices and aligning your business strategy with the right marketplace, you can unlock the vast potential of the e-commerce market in the UAE and position your business for long-term success.

Explore our platforms:

Our Top SaaS Solutions for E-commerce Businesses in the UAE:

How to Sell on Zalora Marketplace in the Philippines?

Team Unicommerce — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:45:14 +0000

In today’s bustling e-commerce landscape, Zalora stands out as a dynamic marketplace for sellers looking to tap into the Philippines’ vibrant fashion market. Its user-friendly platform, robust logistics support, and significant online presence provide an excellent opportunity for fashion and beauty businesses to thrive in the region’s e-commerce ecosystem. With more than 85.16 million individuals in the Philippines having access to the internet, Zalora has a vast, untapped potential for e-commerce.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of setting up your seller account, creating compelling product listings, requirements for a seller, costing and commission, and start earning in the Philippines.

Why Should Your Brand Sell on Zalora?

Many International brands got significant recognition in the Philippines by selling on Zalora, which has made Zalora a hit in the region. Seeing this as an opportunity, new sellers can tap into Zalora’s immersive customer base and make their brand successful in the Philippines. So, before we dive into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” Why should you consider selling your products on Zalora?

Vast Customer Base: 59 million monthly users
Trusted Marketplace: Proven track record of secure transactions and genuine products
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to use & one of the biggest fashion app downloads in the Philippines
Category Diversity: Having multiple diverse categories
Prominent Sales Events: Hosts major sales events throughout the year

1. Vast Customer Base: With 59 million monthly users, Zalora provides access to a broad audience base, ensuring your brand gets the visibility it deserves. With trend-setting brands like H&M, Calvin Klien, Adidas, Nike. etc. on the platform, huge traffic is attracted to the website. These potential customers searching for trendy fashion and beauty products on Zalora could be your Brand’s opportunity to excel in the marketplace.

Read – Top E-commerce Marketplaces in Philippines

2. Trusted Marketplace: Zalora’s reputation as a trusted e-commerce platform holds significant weight in the Philippines. With a proven track record of secure transactions and genuine products, Zalora offers cash-on-delivery and buy-now-pay-later options across their markets, making it easier for shoppers to buy their favorite brands.

Successful brands like Nike achieved a 73% sales uplift in their launch week and 4x weekly sales for both their 11.11 and 12.12 campaigns, as Zalora’s case study revealed. Just like Nike, the association of your business with Zalora can significantly boost your brand’s credibility and visibility in the Philippines.

3. User-Friendly Interface: Zalora’s intuitive platform is easy to use, making it effortless to navigate in the app and list products without a hassle, creating a seamless in-app experience for IOS and android users for both sellers and customers. This means that customers will easily find what they’re looking for, resulting in repeated visits to the app. Which, in turn, fosters a more sustainable and loyal audience, providing your brand with consistent access to potential customers. Zalora shopping app has been downloaded over 1.77 million times, which has been one of the biggest fashion app downloads in the Philippines.

4. Category Diversity: Sellers have the flexibility to list products across multiple diverse categories, catering to a wide range of consumer interests and needs. Zalora has an extensive range of products for customers to choose from, including brands like Calvin Klein, Adidas, Gap, and many more. Your brand can select from a range of Fashion and Lifestyle categories that align seamlessly with the platform’s core strengths, a fact clearly reflected in its top-selling products.

5. Prominent Sales Events: Zalora hosts major sales events like ZALORA Birthday, Big Fashion Sale, Fashion Festival, 11.11 and 12.12 throughout the year, which offers a platform discount up to 90% off. This provides ample opportunities for sellers to boost their sales during peak shopping seasons. These events could be your brand’s opportunity to dominate the fashion and lifestyle market in the Philippines by showcasing your unique products at competitive prices on this trusted marketplace.

Requirements to Set Up Account on Zalora

Legal documentation and business information are crucial to ensure a hassle-free account setup on Zalora. Here are the essential documents you’ll need:

Business License and Registration: Ensure you have your original ID proofs, a valid business license, and registration documents that adhere to all the relevant laws and policies in the Philippines. You must be above 18 years of age during the signing of the contract.
Tax Identification Number (TIN): A Tax Identification Number is essential for tax purposes. It helps Zalora identify your business and ensures that you comply with tax regulations in the country.
Bank Account Information: You’ll need to provide details of the bank account where you’d like to receive payments for your sales on Zalora. This includes the account number and other relevant information for seamless financial transactions.

Having these documents ready and available in digital format will fast-track the process of setting up your seller account on Zalora.

Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Seller on Zalora

Visit www.zalora.com
Fill out the Form
Provide Business Information
Upload Required Documentation
Set Up Payment Details
Start Listing Your Products
Manage Inventory and Update Product Pricing

Step 1: Visit www.zalora.com

Search for “www.zalora.com” in your browser. Scroll down the page and get to the “About Us” section. Click on the “Sell with us” option.

Step 2: Fill out the Form

Fill out the form on your screen and hit submit. After submission, the form is reviewed by Zalora’s Strategic Marketplace advisors. Their response usually does not take more than 7 days. Once approved, you will be notified through an email.

Step 3: Provide Business Information

After approval, log in to your seller account and provide essential information about your business. This includes your company name, contact details, company logo, and a brief description of the products you intend to sell.

Step 4: Upload Required Documentation

Zalora will require certain legal documents for verification purposes. These may include your business license, tax identification, and other relevant certificates. Make sure you have these documents ready in digital format for uploading.

Step 5: Set Up Payment Details

Next, you’ll need to provide your payment information. This includes details on how you’d like to receive payments for your sales.

Step 6: Start Listing Your Products

With your seller account activated, you’re now ready to list your products on Zalora. Head to the Seller Center dashboard and click on the “Add New Product” button to start filling in the details. Remember to provide accurate and detailed information about each product, including high-quality images, clear descriptions, and relevant specifications.

Pro tip: Take your time with product listings and click high-resolution and artistic pictures of your product, as it tends to attract more potential buyers.

Step 7: Manage Inventory and Update Product Pricing

Regularly review and update your product prices based on market trends, competition, and any changes in your costs. Additionally, keep a close eye on your stock levels to ensure that you have an adequate supply to meet customer demand. By staying on top of pricing and stock management, you’ll be well-positioned to meet customer expectations and drive sales.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your seller account on Zalora. Now, you can start showcasing your products to a wide audience in Southeast Asia and start earning.

Cost to Set up shop on Zalora

After the initial sign-up, Zalora’s fee structure comes into play when you start listing your products. They charge a nominal fee for uploading multiple images of a product, with costs varying based on the chosen category. When it comes to commissions, they usually range from 10% to 30%, subject to Zalora’s policies. Further, if a customer returns a product, sellers are charged with an additional fee. Customer cancellations do not affect seller metrics, but the combined cancellation rate of a channel and seller should be less than 5% in order to avoid penalties. It’s crucial to keep these factors in mind to plan your selling strategy effectively.

In conclusion, venturing into the growing Philippines e-commerce market through Zalora presents a golden opportunity for sellers. With a vast customer base across the globe, a user-friendly interface, and diverse category offerings, it’s a platform designed for success. With the right strategies in place and understanding the associated costs, sellers can effectively tap into this dynamic market, opening up new avenues for growth and profitability. So, seize the opportunity today and embark on your journey with Zalora!

Read how businesses are growing with Unicommerce –

The post How to Sell on Zalora Marketplace in the Philippines? appeared first on unicommerce.com.

E-commerce Apparel Industry in India: Trends, Challenges, Opportunities & Solutions

Team Unicommerce — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 12:00:50 +0000

India is the second largest producer of textiles and garments in the world. India’s fashion and apparel industry is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for 2.3% of the GDP. The industry is projected to experience strong growth in the coming years, with a projected CAGR of 10%, and is expected to reach US$ 190 billion by 2025-26.

E-commerce Apparel Industry in India

According to the Indian E-commerce Trends Report of Unicommerce, the online fashion and accessories industry in India witnessed an order volume growth of 20.9%, becoming the segment with the highest order volumes in FY22 as compared to the previous financial year.

The apparel industry is known for its ability to adapt to change, with new trends and styles emerging regularly. Change has always been the wardrobe essential of this industry, happening almost every quarter of each year. This constant need for adaptation also brings its own set of challenges for the industry.

Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the industry can be difficult for brands and retailers, as they need to stay ahead of the latest trends and styles while also managing costs and maintaining profitability. With a rotational shift happening in the industry, Unicommerce decided to go ahead and curate e-commerce fashion trends, challenges, opportunities, and solutions that can help you manage and schedule your business action plan in 2023!

Let’s look at the growing trends, challenges, opportunities & solutions in the apparel industry.

Apparel Industry Trends

The apparel industry is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging each season. Here are a few of the key trends to watch in the industry in the coming year:

Trend #1: Fashioning the Future With Sustainability

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the clothing they purchase. As a result, sustainable fashion, also known as eco-fashion or ethical fashion, is becoming an increasingly important trend in the industry.

Brands are increasingly using organic cotton, bamboo, and linen, which are grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Recycled materials, such as recycled polyester and nylon, are also becoming more popular as they help to reduce waste and pollution.

Another key aspect of sustainable fashion is the use of sustainable production methods. This includes reducing water and energy consumption, using low-impact dyes, and implementing fair labor practices. As consumers become more conscious about their purchasing power and environmental impact, it is expected that sustainable fashion production will become increasingly important.

Trend #2: Revolutionizing Fashion With Athleisure

Athleisure, a trend that combines athletic and leisure wear, has been revolutionizing the fashion industry in recent years. This trend has been driven by the increasing popularity of comfortable, functional clothing worn both in and out of the gym.

As per Statista:The sports and athleisure retail market in India was valued at 158 billion Indian rupees in financial year 2021, and estimated to grow to 402 billion rupees by financial year 2025. Footwear made up the largest chunk of the market during the measured time period, amounting to about 90 billion rupees in 2021, and projected to grow by 21 percent by 2025.

Brands are now offering a wider range of options, from performance-focused gear to more casual and street-style pieces. This has led to the creation of new styles, such as the fusion of athletic wear with formal wear, and has opened up new possibilities for fashion designers.

Another aspect of athleisure is the use of technology, such as moisture-wicking fabric and UV protection, to enhance the functionality of athletic wear. Apparel businesses are investing in research and development to create new fabrics and technologies that can improve the performance of athletic wear.

Overall, athleisure has been a game-changer in the fashion industry, with its versatility and functionality driving the demand for athletic wear. As the trend continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more innovations in the design, materials, and technology of athletic wear, making it even more appealing to consumers.

Trend #3: Market Growth Headed by Women and Kids Wear

The shift in lifestyle and priorities of modern women is leading to a greater focus on self-awareness and appearance, driving growth in the women’s apparel market. As they are becoming more conscious of their fashion choices, the demand for trendy and fashionable clothing is increasing.

The market for kids’ wear is driven by factors such as the increasing number of working mothers and the growing trend of parents investing in high-quality clothing for their children. According to a recent report by Wazir Advisors, India’s kids’ wear market is expected to reach INR 1,23,000 Crores by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 13%.

In terms of product segments, the market for women’s wear is segmented into ethnic wear, western wear, and lingerie. Western wear is expected to be the most lucrative segment in the women’s wear market, driven by the increasing demand for casual and formal wear. With the growth of e-commerce, the market is expected to continue growing, providing opportunities for fashion retailers and manufacturers.

Trend #4: Style and Functionality are Key to Modern Consumers’ Wardrobe

When it comes to fashion, modern consumers are looking for clothing that not only looks good but also serves a purpose. The combination of style and functionality is becoming increasingly important in today’s wardrobe. Consumers are looking for comfortable, durable, and versatile clothing that can be worn for different occasions and meet different needs.

Functionality is especially important for activewear and athleisure, as consumers seek clothing that can keep up with their busy lifestyles and support their physical activities. Fashion, on the other hand, fashion is essential in creating a unique and personal style. Consumers are looking for clothing that reflects their personal tastes and preferences and makes them stand out.

Brands are responding to this by offering a wide range of options, from classic and timeless styles to trendy and fashion-forward pieces. As lifestyles and fashion preferences evolve, brands and retailers that understand and respond to these needs will be well-positioned to succeed in the market.

Trend #5: The Growing Era of Digital First Brands

The apparel industry is currently experiencing a shift towards digital-first brands. These brands prioritize online sales and digital marketing over traditional brick-and-mortar retail and are utilizing technology to create a seamless and personalized shopping experience for consumers.

One of the biggest advantages of digital-first brands is their ability to reach a global audience through e-commerce. These brands can sell directly to consumers, bypassing traditional retail channels and cutting down on costs. This allows them to offer a wide range of products at competitive prices.

With the advancement in technology and more people turning to the internet for fashion inspiration and shopping, digital-first brands will have a significant opportunity to thrive in the industry.

Opportunities in the Apparel Industry

The Indian textile and apparel market has significant growth potential, with the industry projected to reach $190 billion by 2025-26. To reach this target and establish a sustainable textile industry, Indian businesses must take advantage of government support schemes, meet global buyer sustainability demands, and prioritize supply chain traceability.

Government policies and regulations have directed their focus on this industry. Mr. Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Textiles, announced that the Indian government plans to create 75 textile hubs across the country. Not to mention the government has also reduced the custom duty rates on caprolactam, nylon chips, and nylon fiber and yarn to 5%. These regulations have created plenty of opportunities for the Textile and Apparel Industry in the e-commerce sector.

With lined-up opportunities, there come several challenges for simplified apparel e-commerce.

Current & Future Challenges and Problems in the Apparel Industry

The new trends, changing consumer habits, and market shifts have shed light on the new challenges the e-commerce apparel industry is facing in 2023.

Difficulty in managing customized order allocation and inventory sync
Unable to align warehouse operations manually
The impact of COVID-19 and the need to adapt to the changing retail landscape and consumer behavior
Inability to manage deliveries, leading to a higher % of Customer Initiated Returns (CIR)
Hard to align multiple sales channels and offline stores alongside
Back-breaking for e-commerce platforms to manage multiple vendors
Untimely and inefficient delivery of products
No stock rotation leading to outdated stock
The increased cost of Reverse Logistics
The need to navigate the complex and ever-changing regulations and compliance requirements
Poor management of returns and cancellations
Difficulty in predicting and managing demand, inventory, and logistics

Evolving Practices as a Solution to Challenges in the Apparel Industry

Starting up your own fashion e-commerce business has never been easier, especially post the pandemic. Right from managing the inventory and warehouse operations to timely updating the digital attire of an e-commerce store, the aspects are many. But with the advancement of technology, it has become important to adopt some upcoming practices, aligning the sales with your operations.

Following are some of the upcoming e-commerce practices that act as a solution to the challenges you are witnessing during these tough times.

Delivering Omnichannel Experiences

It has become imperative to provide customers with a seamless experience at all touchpoints. Integrating and aligning offline and online channels together helps both businesses and customers develop better relationships. Omnichannel retail offers unhindered shopping experiences to customers and helps keep the inventory and stock levels uniform. With its advanced Omnichannel solution, Unicommerce has enabled effortless business operations & tremendous growth for Iconic Fashion India.

Serving Directly With the D2C Business Model

D2C is quite a recent approach wherein brands deal with customers directly, eliminating intermediaries. While many new brands are adopting this strategy, some established brands are switching from traditional business models to D2C models. According to Unicommerce’s e-commerce Q3 2022 trends report, the e-commerce industry witnessed robust order volume growth of 48.3% through the brand websites, while marketplaces recorded a 21.5% order volume growth.

But the question is, what makes it so different that almost all the new brands are swearing by this approach? Well, the biggest advantage for a D2C brand is that they can shorten the time to sell the products, giving their customers a better price while earning a higher margin. Direct to Consumer (D2C) e-commerce allows the original brand voice to come in front, giving brands better engagement with their customers. Moreover, the new-age solutions of Unicommerce are made specifically for D2C brands like Enamor, Chumbak, etc., to scale on higher revenues.

Why Unicommerce?

Unicommerce – Solutions to problems in the Textile and Garment industry

Unicommerce, the #1 cloud-based e-commerce solution, is focused on changing the face of Indian Fashion retail. It is on a mission to automate the largely scattered apparel industry to make it technology-driven. Its Order and Warehouse Management solutions help to automate clients’ supply chain operations for both online and offline businesses (B2B and B2C). Moreover, Unicommerce comes with 200+ integrations; Cart, Marketplaces, Logistics, ERP, and POS systems to manage the needs of Wholesalers, Distributors, Retail Chains, Individual Store owners, and e-commerce sellers to increase revenue and save operations costs.

Unicommerce’s robust supply chain technology solutions have resulted in exponential business growth, & improved unit economics for over 20,000+ global marketplaces & brands across India, the Middle East, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia. Some of the notable clientele of Unicommerce in the fashion and apparel industry include TCNS Clothing Co. LTD. (W, Aurelia, Elleven), Oryvo, Brand Studio, Bestseller (Vero Moda, Jack & Jones, Only), Being Human, GAP, GANT, Crocs, etc.

Below is a quick brief about Unicommerce’s offerings; click the links to know more in detail.

Advanced Warehouse Management – Unicommerce helps track inventory counts and manage dispatched and allocated orders, making the flow of operations simpler and more efficient. Moreover, you get a real-time update on the entire warehouse operations across multiple locations.
Omnichannel Solution – Unicommerce offers an Omnichannel Solution so that you can route online orders to the nearest offline store.
ERP/ POS management – All the current ERP/POS systems (Tally, Base, Oracle, Navision, SAP, etc.) get effortlessly integrated into our omnichannel software product
Bundle Management – Unicommerce has a Bundle Management feature that lets you create combo packs while updating combo product SKUs in real-time across multiple sales channels.
Logistics Integration – Unicommerce helps brands reduce cancellations and returns as it automates the whole process, ensuring the right product gets shipped to the customers
Unified Vendor Panels – With the Vendor Management solution, e-commerce fashion retailers can seamlessly manage suppliers via centralized login.
Centralized Inventory Management – To enable more significant cost savings, the efficient Inventory Management system restricts bad stock while minimizing the risk of overselling.
Accurate Report Analysis – Unicommerce lets you analyze and scrutinize your daily operations with its Dashboard segment. You can track the number of orders fulfilled, Sales achieved, Returns progressed, etc.
E-commerce Returns Management – Managing RTO and CIR are not difficult anymore. Unicommerce offers a comprehensive returns management solution through a centralized panel to manage returns across all sales channels, amplifying your overall sales profits.
Marketplace Integration – Having come pre-integrated with 40+ marketplaces, Unicommerce lets you sell efficiently across multiple sales channels such as Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, etc.
Simplified Fulfillment – Unicommerce simplifies the process of fulfillment with its fastest and error-free order fulfillment feature.

To coincide, e-commerce brands in the fashion and apparel industry are rising. The Apparel industry is entering a phase where the opportunities are endless, provided the sector is getting constant assistance and support from the government. New and updated practices are required to address the rising challenges. However, online fashion brands must reorganize their business model to cater to evolving demands of the competitive business environment.

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Related read –

Uncover Leading Brands Success with Unicommerce! –

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Amazon Global Selling Program: Your Key to Sell on the International Marketplaces

Team Unicommerce — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 11:23:38 +0000

If you plan to sell only remotely, then you are missing out on great opportunities, especially when the world is only a click away from connecting. Many e-commerce retailers do not prefer to expand their business beyond the boundaries, simply because they consider it to be a great hassle. The reason does not hold ground anymore.

With Amazon Global Selling Program, a program by Amazon that allows the sellers to list and sell their products on Amazon’s global marketplaces. You can smoothly go on a spree to sell internationally. Amazon has put a lot of effort into helping the eCommerce sellers sell internationally.

Still unclear? Let’s go on an in-depth understanding of how it works and how you should be ready before entering the international business.

Why Sell Internationally?

Even though e-commerce vendors consider international selling to be intimidating, here are the reasons to change your mind:

Huge Customer Base

With Amazon Global Selling (AGS) program, you can tap and sell into different countries and engage millions of customers. Your unique products have a chance to gain popularity and sell at an exponential rate when you broaden your horizon.

Pick, Pack & Ship (Amazon FBA)

International shipping or customer service is no longer an issue! Fulfillment Services by Amazon (FBA) are at your rescue! The process of this is simple. Your products/items are stored in the fulfillment centers with Amazon doing all the picking, packing, and shipping, along with providing customer services. Currently, FBA offers three international fulfillment programs for you to select from in order to create your product listings.

Opportunities to Sell on Different Marketplaces

Currently, Amazon operates in 13 global online marketplaces. It enables the sellers to expand their business globally, irrespective of their business being physically established somewhere else.

How to sell internationally with Amazon Global Selling?

Register on the Desired Online Marketplace

Once you have made up your mind to expand your business internationally, the first step is to create your Amazon seller account for the respective country you want to sell in. For you to register and sell on Amazon Global, you have to pay a monthly fee for each active account.

List Your Products

After completing the registration, list all your products and items you want to sell. Select offers by defining rules, or choose specific SKUs.

Customers Purchases

When customers see your products and make a purchase, you automatically get notified where to ship your products.

Deliver Orders

You can either deliver products to the customers and confirm the shipments on your own or choose Amazon Fulfillment Services to fulfill the orders.

Amazon Fees and Deductions

Amazon will deduct its usual fee from the customer’s account and transfer the funds to your listed bank account. Now that you have a clear choice, here are some tips and guidance on how to enter the Amazon Global Selling Program.

Five Essential Things To Do Before Entering Amazon Global Selling

Optimize Inventory in Real-time

When you are selling internationally, you shouldn’t leave any scope for errors because one mistake could bear huge losses. You should ensure the timely and accurate stocking of goods. The best option is to automate your inventory management system. This will update, replenish, and provide you an exact stock position.

You should no longer bank on excel spreadsheets and run inventory software manually if you are aiming to expand your footprints in different geographies. To grow unhesitatingly, you should have sustainable and reliable inventory support to gear up your business operations. Constant monitoring of stock movements and analyzing the data helps to build a steady stock pipeline and disbursement across all the sales platforms.

Reassemble Warehouse Operations

Warehouse operations are the backbone of any eCommerce business. Centralize crucial tasks such as maintaining healthy stock levels automatically and location-allocation in multiple warehouse sites for you to save time in traversing to the shipping sites. Given that omnichannel solutions are taking commercial activities by storm, keep yourself updated by tracking warehouse activities. Track every item moved in or out of the warehouse, thus reducing the difference between actual inventory and virtual inventory. Along with this, build the capability to process orders in bulk and reduce operational costs.

Ensure the Best Logistic Services

If you are not employing the fulfillment services by Amazon (FBA), then you need to make sure that you choose a logistics provider available at hand. You need to have a system that provides you the best logistic service and shipment partner because international shipping requires its own sweet time. You need to be prepared well in advance to make timely delivery.

Leverage Technology for Shipment Status

Whether you choose FBA or fulfill orders on your own, you need to keep track of the orders. It doesn’t get over with just tracking the status of customer’s orders. You also have to track the shipment of your stock from manufacturers so that you can optimize your warehouse well in advance.

Hasslefree Order Returns Management

International selling can grow intimidating if you are unable to manage order returns. The volume of returns from multi-channels poses a tough challenge to manage the returns impeccably. Courier returns or returns to the point of origin, and customer-initiated returns need to be differentiated with a proper procedure. The best way to manage order returns is to automate the order returns management process. When you have a centralized panel to manage returns across all sales channels, it improves your overall profit as well as the customer’s experience.

Unicommerce is your one-stop solution for all your supply chain operations and to help you get ready for the international market. Along with that, you can also tap into additional marketplaces as we have 200+ integrations with leading marketplaces and logistics providers. Align your business now with Unicommerce and spread your horizon in the international market place.

Read Unicommerce’s Success Story with Top Brand –

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How To Sell On Shopee: The Ultimate Guide To Sell On The Marketplace [Updated 2024]

Team Unicommerce — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 18:58:07 +0000

The e-commerce market is ballooning in Southeast Asia like never before. While most of the penetration in e-commerce is from urban consumers, the growth opportunities are targeted to lure consumers from tier-2 and tier-3 cities in a few years.

From the growing consumption of online marketplaces to e-tailers going digital from their brick and mortar stores, the entire region is flooded with the demand for e-commerce. As per e-Conomy SEA 2021 report by Google, 40 million more internet users came online in 2021 while bringing the digital penetration to 75% in SEA. Additionally, 350 million consumers in SEA have made at least one purchase online last year.

So do you not want to leverage this underlying opportunity?

Are you looking forward to starting your e-commerce journey? Or maybe you are looking to expand your e-commerce business in the region? If yes, then Shopee is the right fit for your business.

Now the question is, what exactly is Shopee?

With absolutely no commission and listing fee, Shopee is a mobile-only e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia that pays extra attention to enhancing both buyers’ and sellers’ shopping experiences. Covering seven markets of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, Shopee has its presence all around Southeast Asia.

The marketplace has been predicted to be the top player in the coming years as it records almost 457.9 million visits per month, making it one of the leading platforms in the SEA. Additionally, the third-quarter report by Sea Limited documents that Shopee recorded gross orders of 1.7 billion and a GMV (gross merchandise value) of $16.8 billion.

Why should you sell on Shopee?

Shopee is a kind of marketplace where sellers give extra attention to their brand reputation as there’s a scope for enhancing buyers’ shopping experience to the most. Want to know more about why Shopee is the best for your e-commerce business? We have got you covered!

Zero financial stress: With a commission-free and no listing fee model, Shopee offers you an amazing marketplace without any financial overload. However, if you want to expose your portfolio to a wider audience, you can always go for paid advertising.
Broader networking: Shopee has a broad presence across ASEAN countries. So if you choose this marketplace, you’re going to represent your brand to a border customer base, which is a good opportunity for brand expansion.
Free shipping: With Shopee, you can enjoy the perks of no shipping cost, selling your products at cheaper prices while luring more customers than you can gain via any other marketplace. (Note: Shipping may differ by country and regulations.)
Low transaction fee: Shopee involves a transaction fee of 1.5%, which is very cheap when compared to the commission of other marketplaces, which revolves around 2% to 8%.
Gives multiple payment options: Sellers can offer a plethora of options to their customers as Shopee accepts bank transfers, ATM transfers, Debit and Credit cards payment, Over-the-counter (OTC) payments, Cash on Delivery (COD).
Supports multiple languages: Shopee offers a truly multilingual experience by serving operations in six languages, making it best at the global level.

Hot tip: If you are confused about what products you should sell on Shopee, then here are a few top-selling product categories: Fashion, Home and Living, Baby products, Mobile phones, and accessories, Health and beauty, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Seller on Shopee

There are two ways to sell on Shopee. You can sell on the platform either through the app or via the website. Both ways are quite easy and similar to each other. Let’s first check how to sell via the Shopee app.

#1 Start Selling On Shopee Via App

Step 1 – Click on the sign-up button and put the important details while verifying your phone number.

Hot tip: It’s important to provide your number, else you won’t be able to sell your products.

Step 2 – List your products by going to the Me tab and clicking Start Selling. There, you can select Add New Product where you can insert product images and information related to your product, such as product name, details (size, type, etc.), category, attributes (price, stock, variations, weight), and shipping details. Once it’s done, click on Submit.

Hot tip: Add high-quality images because you know how customers love to get in-depth visual details of the product they want to buy. It increases the chance of selling. Moreover, you must put emphasis on curating precise and concise product description that has the power to catch attention.

Step 3 – Complete your shop set up by going to Seller Assistant and then Shop Profile. There, choose your Shop Name, which should be both unique and easy to memorize. Then add up to 5 images or videos of your brand. The last step is to add the description of your shop, highlighting your USPs, history, and shipping location. The next step is to Save.

Read how Businesses are growing with Unicommerce –
How PayO Asia achieved 10X Growth in Sales?
How Ellana Cosmetics achieved 99.99% Order Fulfillment Rates?

#2 Start Selling On Shopee Via Seller Centre

Step 1 – Start by creating an account on shopee.com.my and click on Sign Up. After that, add and verify your phone number and email ID.

Step 2 – The next step is to set up your shop. For that, you need to go to the Seller Centre where you can go to Shop Profile. Then you need to choose the shop name, which is unique and easy to memorize. After that add up to 5 images and videos. Lastly, you need to add a description, highlighting your shop’s history, USPs, and location.

Step 3 –

Your next step is to add your product. Go to the Seller Centre and click on Add New Product. There you can add the product name and three categories will appear automatically. You can either choose them or configure them as per your choice. Then click Next.
After that, you need to add information about your product, including Product Name, Product Description, and Product Attributes.
Then insert the price, stock count, and variations (if any) for your product. Your next step is to take high-quality photos.
Lastly, update shipping settings, such as weight, dimension (parcel size), and shipping fee. Then Save and Publish once everything is done.

Hot tip: Shopee offers you multiple fulfillment models, so you can choose any of the below models as per your preference.

Fulfilled by Shopee
Third-party fulfillment centers

4 Ways to Manage your Operations and Increase Sales on Shopee

The most important aspect of selling over Shopee is the way you manage your backend operations. If you know how to smoothly manage them, you can seamlessly increase your sales. Here are a few tips for you to grow your business sales on Shopee.

Manage multiple integrations via a single platform: Right from accounting to CRM, you can perform a plethora of tasks by integrating your Shopee with a supply chain technology platform like Unicommerce. With multiple integrations, such as ERP/POS, accounting, and more, you can manage your order and inventory management easily.
Track your performance using analytics: Choose a platform that offers your in-depth reports and dashboard so that you can analyze your orders, inventory status, returns status, and more. Some platforms offer inventory snapshots to let you learn the availability of stock in the warehouse.
Expand product portfolio: Insert a variety of products while updating your product line with a catalog manager. You can bring diversity to your products by seamlessly syncing your catalog using a backend management system.
Manage customer relationships: Track your order routinely and offer an immersive shopping experience to your customers by fulfilling their orders timely. This lets you maintain a long-term relationship with your customers, increasing the customer retention rate.

To conclude it all, if you are serious about starting your own e-commerce business or expanding your product line in Southeast Asia, then there’s no better platform than Shopee. While it has a presence across buyers in Southeast Asia, it offers many benefits. Moreover, you must optimize your offerings via tips we have curated at the end. Apart from backend operations, you can indulge in marketing and account management activities to enhance your virtual store, which is necessary to pull off buyers’ attention on Shopee.

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Recommended read:

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