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Kuala Lumpur, Aug 26: Sixty per cent of Malaysian consumers are proactively supporting local sellers ahead of Merdeka Day with #ShopeeSapotLokal, at the live reveal of the platform’s largest marketplace study this year, Celebrating the Heart of Malaysia on E-Commerce*, ahead of the company’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day.
When 3,356 consumers were asked “Why do you think it is important to support local sellers?” during the month leading up to Merdeka Day (Aug 31), 30 per cent endorsed the quality of made-in-Malaysia goods that cater to their local preferences, 20 per cent stated that they want to keep the economy running for patriotic reasons and eight per cent were sellers supporting other local sellers in the same boat.
While 42 per cent preferred shopping local to get their items delivered faster.
Among these respondents, half of them (54 per cent) are working full time, 18 per cent are in-between jobs, 17 per cent are senior citizens, six per cent are stay-at-home parents and five per cent are university students.
Shopee also examined what Malaysians valued about online shopping.

Over 70 per cent of consumers surveyed estimated that their everyday online shopping transactions resulted in savings of over five per cent consistently.
Economic uncertainty was the primary reason respondents valued every Ringgit saved, with 50 per cent of buyers needing to reduce expenses in this environment, 14 per cent not earning enough to cover essentials, 10 per cent foreseeing major expenses in the coming months and six per cent providing for multiple dependents.
“Interestingly, not all buyers prioritise discounts and vouchers exclusively.
Seven in 10 Malaysians value peace of mind over lower price,” Head of Marketing Campaigns at Shopee Malaysia Kenneth Soh said.
Nine in 10 Malaysians still buy online despite the reopening of physical outlets because it is a learned and adopted habit.
The majority value having ‘peace of mind’, with 40 per cent enjoying the convenience of parcels delivered to their doorstep, 17 per cent feeling safe with Shopee Guarantee, and 10 per cent trusting reviews and pictures from other buyers.

For 49 per cent of buyers, Shopee is the top-of-mind shopping destination for lifestyle products, including home decoration items, fashion pieces, and health and beauty products. Apart from that, 24 per cent of buyers purchase living essentials (groceries and diapers) from Shopee, 16 per cent look for tech devices (computers, mobile devices and TV) and the remaining 11 per cent buy automobile parts or work and school supplies.
“When Malaysian consumers express their values through online shopping preferences this way, we truly understand why eight in 10 local sellers started their selling journey online with Shopee. We are humbled to discover that half of our local sellers surveyed say the income earned on our platform is crucial as it enables them to support their families,” said Soh.
The majority of local sellers began selling online with Shopee to overcome existing limitations on their earnings and participation in the economy: 24 per cent because it is their only source of income, five per cent are not able to get a job, eighteen per cent need to supplement income and 24 per cent feel the pressures of higher costs of living
While 30 per cent said they became Shopee sellers because of their passion for their business.
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