As Lunar New Year, or better known as Chinese New Year in Malaysia approaches, citizens who celebrate the auspicious year of the ox prepare themselves for a quiet celebration as a result of the ongoing pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO). As the MCO is further restricted and in-person shopping has been heavily discouraged, more merchants started to sell their goods on e-commerce platforms. Leading e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada have rolled out their CNY sale so customers can stay safe and shop from home for their Lunar New Year needs.
Shopee reported that Malaysians have already started searching for deals in preparation to make use of the sale. The top most searched items include fashion and apparel, Chinese New Year decorations, and the nation’s favourite isotonic drink 100 Plus. Bird’s nest, abalone, and “bak kwa” (dried meat) are among the top searched items as well.
Also mentioned in Shopee’s report, the most purchased items include furniture and decorations, electronics and basic necessities. Health and hygiene related products still remain a popular purchase, while luxury items are expected to drop in sales. Shopee predicts that sales in gift items are expected to rise as interstate travels are not permitted during MCO.
> Read more: Malaysia’s Ecommerce Economy Thrives During COVID-19
Lazada’s Chinese New Year Campaign
Lazada announced that they have exciting deals from well-known brands onboard their CNY sale campaign. A range of essential assortments such as groceries, daily necessities, hand sanitisers, toiletries, and even pet supplies are available on sale and have attractive promotions. Lazada also partnered up with brands and restaurants such as Din Tai Fung, Eu Yan Sang, Salad Atelier and more to offer shoppers a wide variety of CNY themed food and grocery.
Free shipping vouchers and discounts of up to 50% are offered on Lazada’s “Keep Calm and Shop from Home” page. Thousands of brand vouchers from participating brands such as Tesco, Senheng, Tefal, Adidas, Pandora, Loreal and more are also up for grabs to help shoppers maximise their spending this festive season. The page also features over 10,000 grocery and essential items curated in the spirit of Chinese New Year, bearing products such as hampers, traditional CNY snacks, yee sang packages, abalone, and more.
> Read more: 12.12 Sale In Malaysia Break E-commerce Records
Shopee’s Chinese New Year Campaign
Chinese New Year celebrations may not be as festive as before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Shopee still welcomes the year of the ox with Malaysian singer, Aniu as their brand ambassador to launch their 2.2 CNY Sale. Shopee offered 8 sen bargains and daily 88% off Shopee Coin cashback vouchers for customers to shop safely from the comfort of their homes. As always, Shopee also features several in-app games for customers to earn Shopee Coins that can be used as a rebate for their purchases.
In light of the new standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government for Chinese New Year celebrations during MCO this year, Shopee has also partnered with several restaurants and brands such as Kenny Rogers, Dunkin Donuts, Nando’s Chicken, and more to help bring food and drinks to help customers’ celebrate their festivities at the safety of their homes. Participating local favourite brands such as L’Oreal, P&G, Enfagrow, Philips, and more also offer discounts up to 80% on the platform.
For 2.2 CNY Sale this year, Shopee has also partnered with the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association to bring Petaling Street traders to their online platform via the “Petaling Street Goes Ong-Line” initiative. The initiative is also a part of Shopee’s “Buy Malaysia” initiative to offer more than 1,500 items and goods by participating traders and merchants such as Hai-O, Hari Hari, and Oloiya to be promoted on the platform.
At the same time, these Petaling Street traders and merchants are able to have access to Shopee University eCommerce workshops for free to learn the tips and tricks that can help sustain their business online in the long run. The initiative was conceived as a solution to preserve and protect the legacy of Petaling Street, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most busy historical landmarks for generations, to ensure that it does not go extinct. Due to the second round of MCO, Petaling Street traders and merchants experienced losses of up to 95% according to a press statement.
> Read more: Shopee trumped Lazada in Southeast Asia E-commerce market: A lesson of localization
Overview
Despite the reimplementation of the movement control order (MCO) and discouragement against celebrating of Chinese New Year to control and stop the spread of COVID-19, Malaysians are still actively shopping online for festive goods. Product trends early in the year when the MCO was reimplemented shifted from non-groceries such as electronics, home improvement and health related items, to Chinese New Year related products, goods and furniture. With the help from top e-commerce platforms, Shopee and Lazada will continue to support local traders and merchants whose brick-and-mortar businesses have been heavily affected by the MCO, which will help contribute to restoring the economy.
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