Shopee

In 2015, Shopee launched in Singapore as a social-first, mobile-centric marketplace where users can browse, shop and sell.[7] Integrated with logistical and payment support, the asset-light platform claims to make online shopping easy and secure for both sellers and buyers.[8][9]

The app-based platform launched a website in order compete with other e-commerce websites in the region like Lazada, Tokopedia and AliExpress. To differentiate itself, Shopee offers online shopping security through its own escrow service called "Shopee Guarantee",[3] where it withholds payment to sellers until buyers have received their orders.[6]

On 3 September 2019, Shopee officially opened its new six-storey regional headquarters at Singapore Science Park. The new building has 244,000 square feet (22,700 m²) of space, which can accommodate 3,000 employees and is six times larger than the previous headquarters at Ascent Building. The building was previously tenanted by WeWork in Singapore. The co-working space giant that has presence at more than 700 locations globally as of 2020. The lease was subsequently relinquished to Shopee as a result of its rapid expansion. By doing so, it strengthens its push into the digital economy.[10][11]

Shopee first started as primarily a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace but has since moved into both a C2C and business-to-consumer (B2C) hybrid model.[12]

Shopee partners with over 70 courier service providers across its markets to provide logistical support for its users.[13] In Singapore, it collaborated with logistics startup NinjaVan for item pickup and delivery.[14] Other delivery partners in the region include Chunghwa Post from Taiwan and Pos Indonesia.[15]

As of 2019, the platform recorded 200 million downloads. Shopee also saw gross orders jumping 92.7% to 246.3 million in Q2 2019, compared to 127.8 million a year ago. Its gross merchandise value also surged 72.7% to US$3.8bil in 2Q19 from US$2.2bil a year ago. [16]

According to iPrice's 21 2019 e-commerce report, Shopee was the top Shopping App by Monthly Active Users, Total Downloads and Websites with the Most Visits, ahead of its competitors, Lazada and Tokopedia. [17]

These GMV claims have also led to backlash by Alibaba-backed competitor, Lazada. The former CEO, Max Bittner asserted that GMV numbers can be easily inflated "by subsidy schemes and history shows that GMV falls away as unhealthy subsidies are removed."[18]

Nonetheless, in Malaysia, Shopee became the 3rd most visited e-commerce portal in Q4 2017, replacing Lelong and "overtook Lazada to rank as the best app on both Google Play and iOS App stores."[19]

Similarly among consumers in Indonesia, a survey conducted in December 2017 by theAsianparent revealed that "for Indonesian mothers, Shopee is a first choice shopping platform (73%), followed by Tokopedia (54%), Lazada (51%) and Instagram (50%)."[20]

In 2016, Shopee launched an initiative called "Shopee University", a series of workshops and tutorials to aid local entrepreneurs and businesses in setting up their online businesses in the Philippines.[21]

In 2017, Shopee launched Shopee Mall with 200 brands in Singapore. The dedicated portal features thousands of products sold by leading brands and retailers in the region. Shopee Mall was created to offer a more diverse online shopping experience, and to better cater to larger brands looking to pursue an omni-channel approach.[22]

In 2018, Shopee launched the China Marketplace portal that offers shoppers easy access to products from Chinese merchants, without any shipping and agent fees in Singapore. This portal directly competes with Lazada's Taobao Collection option.[23]

In 2018, Shopee appointed Blackpink as its first-ever regional brand ambassador, as part of its partnership with YG Group. Bambam of Got7 was also appointed as the brand ambassador in Thailand in October of the same year. [24]

In 2019, Shopee secured a partnership with global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo as its regional brand ambassador. The partnership was announced in line with Shopee's signature annual shopping event, 9.9 Super Shopping Day. [25]

In the Philippines, Shopee has spawned five local brand ambassadors: actress Anne Curtis, singer Jose Mari Chan, television personality Sarah Geronimo, boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao, and television personality Kris Aquino. In 2020, television personality Aquino became the new endorser of Shopee for the 11.11 Christmas Sale, after Chan, who was endorser for the 11.11-12.12 Christmas Sale in 2018 and the 9.9 Super Shopping Day in 2020.[26] Chan later joined Aquino in the 12.12 Christmas Sale in 2020.[27]

In August 2020,Phua Chu Kang, a classic role that played by Gurmit was announced and signed as Shopee's first Singaporean brand ambassador.[28]

In Indonesia, Shopee has recruited 2 local brand ambassadors: late singer Didi Kempot and singer Nella Kharisma. In 2020, Korean boy group Stray Kids became the new endorser of Shopee Indonesia for the 11.11 Big Sale and 12.12 Birthday Sale. [29] [30]

Shopee's parent company, Sea Group, filed for an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in October 2017 for US$2 billion.[31] Tencent is the main beneficiary of the Sea listing with a 39.7% share while Blue Dolphins Venture — an organization set up by founder Forrest Li — holds 15%. Li himself has 20%, and Chief Technology Officer, Gang Ye holds 10%.[31]

In 2015, Shopee was awarded the Singapore Startup Of The Year in the second edition of Vulcan Awards, presented by Singaporean digital publisher, Vulcan Post.[32]

• Garena
• Lazada

• Shopee website