KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6- More Malaysians are opting to do their shopping online, especially during festive seasons, to avoid the usual hassle of traffic and queues at shopping malls.
With more and more choices online, about 40 per cent of both men and women are bound to purchase products using their smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops.
According to PayPal Southeast Asia and India’s “kip the Queues” survey, shopping online is becoming increasingly popular as Malaysians plan to do nearly half their shopping online to spend more time with their families and have more personal time to relax or take up a hobby.
The survey also revealed that many Malaysians turned to social media and that user-generated content on social media platforms had a strong influence on what Malaysians bought during the festive shopping season.
People are also beginning to be more confident about making online purchases as it is easy, convenient and there are more choices of products, says Bryan Gan, who is the marketing trainer for a Facebook online business programme called ‘Fesbuk Power’.
Speaking to Bernama, he said Malaysians were expected to purchase clothing, bags and accessories, shoes, home decorations, cookies, slimming and beauty products online.
The founder of ‘Scarf Perfume’ fragrance sold online, said entrepreneurs could gain much from shopping online, particularly if they knew how to use the available technologies and adopt the right marketing strategy.
He noted that social networking site Facebook was the most powerful medium at the moment for marketing, although some preferred to use mobile devices to check prices, reviews and to be able to make payments anytime, anywhere.
“In recent years, online shopping has emerged as a trend among the people, as it is the easiest and the most convenient way of shopping while enjoying the comforts of home,” he said.
With these online stores accessible round-the-clock, seven days a week, Europe-based freelance online shopping analyst Nages Vanham said: “Now, you no longer have to get out of your house to purchase your dress for a wedding or a birthday party, and that means you do not have to spend money on petrol”.
Online entrepreneur S. Suganthi, who operates ‘Magenta Collection’, an online boutique business, says her sales would increase nearly 200 times from her usual sales, especially during festive seasons.
“This is my part-time business and I sell the latest design sarees, materials. About 50 per cent of my customers are Malays as they love sarees to make baju kurung,” she said.
Suganthi, who operates with the support of her husband, admitted real customer testimonial and product quality were crucial factors for a brand to succeed in the Facebook market, as people would share with their friends.
A study on e-commerce by Rakuten predicts internet retailing is likely to hit US$630 billion in 2016.
– BERNAMA
