Shopee Express Couriers Drive Community Inclusion and Business Success

 

A new study(1) by Shopee Express has found that 1,317 Malaysian couriers are committed to building robust relationships with local communities. 87% of couriers surveyed provide trustworthy nationwide delivery services, engage with people from diverse cultures, and develop a deeper understanding of the areas they operate in. The remaining believe that their work enables local businesses to expand their market reach, which contributes to their growth and creates new job opportunities.

The success of businesses and communities relies heavily on these couriers who are truly unsung heroes. Especially for local businesses, they are always adapting to meet the changing demands of their customers, while many households, especially those of the elderly and disadvantaged, have greatly benefited from the services of couriers. This is made possible by the fact that 80% of couriers deliver at least 80 parcels on a daily basis, while the rest handle a smaller number of parcels due to other commitments.

Given their intention to deliver parcels safely to the customers they value, 80% of couriers prioritise customer needs by considering factors such as urgency, location, and timing, while the other 20% take into account their own capabilities, such as parcel size, weight, and order received, when evaluating the feasibility of delivering parcels.

When asked ”What do you enjoy most about working as a Shopee Express courier?” – 56% of couriers enjoy the job’s flexibility and breaks, 25% value the opportunity to take ownership of their successes and hard work, and 19% appreciate the teamwork and training courses that come with being part of the community. Couriers also have been able to support their households by scheduling work trips at their convenience, which allows them to maintain their standard of living while continuing to develop their skills.

With countless deliveries to complete everyday, these couriers believe that having certain qualities is helpful in making them more efficient and productive. 80% of couriers surveyed identified honesty and reliability as crucial – they are responsible for delivering parcels safely, on time, and securely to customers. 20% think that possessing a positive mindset and ample knowledge is essential, which means being able to adapt to changes and staying calm in difficult situations.

All couriers know that customers want their parcels to arrive safely. 8 out of 10 couriers recalled pushing through circumstances to deliver in bad weather or remote areas, whereas the remaining couriers remembered playing a role in making someone feel valued by delivering for special occasions. These experiences motivate couriers to keep doing their job as it reminds them of the positive impact they have on people's lives.

Cheah Lee Sun, Head of Shopee Express, said, “Our couriers clearly play a crucial role in the communities they serve. We appreciate their tireless efforts to complete deliveries on time and build stronger connections with customers. As the backbone of our business, we are here listening to their needs and accommodating them as much as we can. This is just one of the ways we provide a better peace of mind not just to our couriers, but also to our customers who rely on us to deliver their parcels with utmost care and efficiency."

When asked how being a Shopee Express courier impacted their lives, 34% of couriers had improved their time management skills by prioritising their tasks effectively. For 27% of them, their work allowed them to provide meaningful support to their families. 23% learned about the importance of being accountable in delivering parcels, and 16% felt a sense of purpose in life and saw opportunities for career advancement.

“We are happy to see that many of them have a better understanding of how to communicate with customers, build rapport, and become more skilled over time in managing a consistent stream of work and balancing personal responsibilities,” Cheah concluded. 

1. Shopee Express’ 2023 Expressing Local Love study was conducted between 9 March 2023 and 31 March 2023. 87% of couriers surveyed provide trustworthy nationwide delivery services, engage with people from diverse cultures, and develop a deeper understanding of the areas they operate in.

Malaysian Female Sellers Uplift Other Women on Shopee

 

Shopee’s 2023 ShopeeSapotLokal Building Connected Communities study(1) finds that 100% of Malaysian women who achieve economic inclusion share their success by uplifting other women in B40 and rural areas. For 1,015 female sellers surveyed on the marketplace this Ramadan period: two-thirds hire single, rural, or impoverished women, or source directly from women-owned suppliers; a third facilitate networking opportunities and training programs.

These findings demonstrate that Malaysian women in the digital economy are not only supporting household dependents during peak Ramadan e-commerce sales(2), but are a driving force in giving back by lowering barriers to entry, widening access to customers, and providing more flexibility in time management to other women like themselves. 

When asked ”How has Shopee opened up new opportunities for women sellers like yourself?” – eight in ten respondents value the benefits and freedom of starting an online storefront easily with minimal investments and scaling it for sustainable growth, whereas two in ten respondents value the time they get to support their family, pursue their own aspirations, and enhance their skills.

Having achieved success for themselves this Raya, women on Shopee have been able to save time and effort in establishing alternative revenue streams, build relationships with resellers, vendors, and infrastructure partners they have no prior contacts with, and figure out how to invest in attracting their first customer base, especially for marginalised or impoverished women in rural and B40 communities. Not to mention, juggling their careers on top of household responsibilities and raising children.

#ShopeeSapotLokal’s community of women sellers have a sense of purpose and are capitalising on opportunities to drive greater inclusion by appealing to younger generations of Malaysian shoppers who shop purposefully online(3). When Generation Z choose to buy from women-owned stores, the survey helps them understand why these women think it’s important their business is supported: 60% of respondents are driven by career growth, financial empowerment, and long-term stability. 40% believe in making a positive impact with products that improve lives and by being role models for women and children. 

Kenneth Soh, Head of Marketing at Shopee Malaysia, said, “Our belief is that e-commerce should be accessible to all. With this survey, Shopee’s community of empowered business-women are getting their voices heard. They’re advocating for a multifaceted approach to uplift other women and encouraging online shoppers to support them. These women are playing a significant role in Malaysia’s digital economy, and we’re sitting up listening and giving them the platform to succeed.”

Their growing participation in e-commerce allows Malaysian women to give their point of view on how to upskill other women to unlock their growth potential. 70% of women surveyed identified understanding people and delivering on trust as critical to success — 30% prioritise marketing as important to improve store content and deliver on their brand story, 20% focus on engaging shopping experiences to increase orders, and 20% emphasise customer service for star ratings and positive reviews. Only a third think upskilling is needed in navigating the platform features or optimising operations.

When asked which Shopee marketplace feature they utilise most to grow given their specific needs and constraints as women entrepreneurs, 36% of women sellers want to become preferred sellers or achieve Shopee Mall status. 25% want to leverage influencers and Shopee Live for higher visibility, 23% seek Seller Education Hub and Shopee Bintang Komuniti support, and 18% would like to capitalise on Big Campaigns.  

“Championing other women’s success means they can help each other define how Malaysian communities are built, communicated with, and how value-based businesses are run. 90% of women surveyed would recommend Shopee as a platform of choice to other women sellers promoting value-based shopping and inclusion,” Soh concluded. 

ShopeeFood and Pizza Hut Delivers Love to Food Delivery Partners for Ramadhan and Hari Raya Celebrations

 

In conjunction with Ramadhan and the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations, ShopeeFood together with Pizza Hut organised several berbuka puasa sessions across Klang Valley and Selangor for its fleet of food delivery partners. The #ShopeeDeliversLove campaign is in its second year and aims to show appreciation to ShopeeFood delivery partners.

Hundreds of delivery partners attended the sessions across many locations such as Wangsa Maju, Kota Damansara, Kepong and Kajang. Besides feasting on various yummy pizzas and beverages provided by Pizza Hut, the delivery partners also received many other goodies like Hari Raya cookies and petrol vouchers.

According to Kwa Yin Leng, Head of Operations for ShopeeFood Malaysia: “We are excited to be able to host this event on an annual basis for our delivery partners. ShopeeFood recognises the important role driver partners play in our business. As such, we continue to engage them closely, to better understand their needs. We take our driver partners’ feedback seriously, implement support initiatives and policies that meet their needs and continuously improve their welfare.”

“ShopeeFood is committed to delivering the highest quality of service for our customers by providing our users with value, variety and convenience through an integrated ecosystem. We hope by providing good food to our delivery partners, they will have more flexibility to observe their religious duties while delivering customer orders during this busy period,” she added.

Besides receiving food, delivery partners were also given a chance to win attractive lucky prizes that included smartphones, helmets and other riding apparel like raincoats.

Delivery partners interviewed during the event also expressed their appreciation for the gesture from ShopeeFood. En. Faizal bin Hashom who has been working with ShopeeFood for more than one and a half years said: “It is such a great event, and I hope ShopeeFood can organise a bigger one in the future so more drivers can attend it together. The timing to have the event during the month of Ramadan and Hari Raya is good as well.”

Another delivery partner, En. Abdul Qayum Bin Baharum said: “This event is really good for drivers to get together to not only meet new friends that are working in the same area but also a great opportunity to meet the ShopeeFood management team. The gifts are very attractive and I am grateful that we are able to participate in this event. Thank you ShopeeFood.”

For the Hari Raya period, ShopeeFood will also be having special discounts from 20th - 21st April. The offers include Free Delivery and features various merchants such as myBurgerLab, HWC Coffee, and Nasi Ayam Penyet.

ShopeeFood was established in 2021 to help its users benefit from a convenient and hassle-free food delivery experience by providing numerous eateries, from popular joints to local street food stalls, at the best value. As part of Shopee’s existing ecosystem that includes the mobile wallet ShopeePay, along with amazing deals and promotions all year round, Malaysians have a secure, and rewarding payment and delivery experience with ShopeeFood.

Usher Hari Raya with Free Delivery and Discounts Up to 50% off

Order your favourite Ramadhan and Hari Raya dishes with ease as ShopeeFood brings you a variety of special dishes for you and the family. With great discounts and free delivery throughout the Ramadan-Raya season, you can focus your efforts on preparing for the rest of the celebrations without worrying about what-to-eat. Get started righthere with some unique offers from our awesome ShopeeFood merchants:

● TEXAS CHICKEN’s Ayam 8Lada Promo - Indulge in an explosive combination of 8 powerful peppers that is guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and deliver an extraordinary spicy sensation!

● KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS’ Ole-Ole Raya Package - Satisfy your cravings with the creamy and buttery sauces of Kenny Rogers Roasters Buttermilk Pedas, infused with a tantalizing hint of spiciness that is sure to leave you hooked.

● CHATIME’s Ramadhan Golden Fresh Mango Series - Start your iftar on a refreshing note with Chatime’s Golden Fresh Mango series featuring Sakur pearls and sago that surely satisfy your thirst.

● MARRY BROWN’s Riang Ramadan Raya Special - Spice up your appetite with a burst of aromatic local spices in every bite of Marrybrown’s Riang Ramadan Special.

● A&W’s Jom Buka Meal - Experience the ultimate flavor explosion with A&W’s new go-to menu, perfectly crispy and coated with spicy Daebak sauce. If you love a little heat, this is the perfect choice for you. Come and enjoy the K-Pop of flavors at A&W!

That’s not all as ShopeeFood brings you Mid Month Sales with ONE-day only discounts: Link

We also got you covered for Hari Raya. Check out these Raya friendly brands to provide you with better convenience:

● EDEN SATAY PANTAI DALAM’s Satay -Savor the delightful blend of distinct flavors that merge to form a delectable and gratifying sensation, infused with aromatic species, char-grilled meat, and peanut sauce.

● PAK ALI NASI LEMAK DAU PISANG’s Rendang - Indulge in the intense and intricate flavor profile of rendang, as the beef or chicken is slow-cooked to perfection, absorbingall the aromatic spices and herbs. The result is a deeply satisfying and flavorful dish that is sure to please even the most refined taste.

● SEDAP MALAM SATION’s Asam Pedas - Asam pedas offers a distinctive and intricate flavor profile with a blend of sour, spicy, and savory flavors, coupled with a fragrant and earthy aroma that will leave a lasting impression.

● ALI, MUTHU & AH HOCK’S Lontong - If you’re in the mood for traditional dishes, look no further than lontong! This simple but satisfying dish is enjoyed throughout the region, with its mild and comforting flavor and soft, chewy texture making it a popular comfort food to many.

● LEMANG PANAS’ Lemang - Lemang is cooked in a bamboo tube, the combination of glutinous rice and coconut milk to create a flavorful and visually impressive dish that is sure to impress.

New Generation of Malaysians Shop Value-Based Online

 

New generations of Malaysians are shopping with purpose online — Shopee’s marketplace data shows online consumers are three times more likely to buy products that promote smarter consumption in 2023 than in 2020. Malaysians are increasingly searching for keywords such as ‘pre-loved’, ‘pre-owned’, ‘warehouse clearance’, ‘demo unit’ and ‘thrift’ over ‘new’.

Over the last three years, Shopee marketplace saw consumers putting value-based shopping into practice with a total 1.4 million items sold that were demo units, warehouse clearance items with minor defects, bundled goods, and also pre-owned products. 50% of these were FMCG categories Baby and Toys, Groceries and Pets, and Health and Beauty, 27% pre-owned fashion, 17% lifestyle items (Home and Living, Outdoor Sports, Hobbies, Games and Books) and the remainder used Electronics.

Kenneth Soh, Head of Marketing at Shopee Malaysia, said, “Value-based shopping is clearly the future. Generation Z shoppers on our marketplace are telling us with their keyword searches that for every 6 times they look for something new, 4 other times, they are looking for something pre-loved, recycled, reused or display units. They are exercising their purchasing power in a very deliberate way, and it’s humbling to be able to meet the needs of this group of consumers by connecting them to sellers who are aligned with their values.”

“Shopee makes it easy for Malaysian sellers with stocks to clear to list their pre-loved goods and describe and show users the conditions they are authentically in so that people can make smarter shopping decisions. In February 2023, we saw an estimated 15% increase in pre-loved SKU listings compared to the same month last year. We believe that we make it easier for our consumers to shop with more value online,” Soh concluded.

The most popular warehouse clearance supplies were hand sanitisers as Malaysians increased their need for personal hygiene protection. As households economised on spending, overstock but affordable skincare, cosmetics, and personal care products were hot in demand. Unsurprisingly, shoppers also chose ‘pre-owned’ over ‘new’ with baby and children accessories, baby and children toys, and pet accessories that get outgrown with age.

Influencers’ content on Shopee Live has also been shifting to cater to value-based and purposeful shopping decisions. Throughout the last three years, livestream sellers recorded four times more pre-loved orders sold and twice as much live streaming content for pre-owned products compared to new products. This could be attributed to the authenticity generated by influencers demonstrating pre-loved units in their genuine condition along with positive messages shaping sustainable mindsets.

Shoppers keen to support recommerce can type the following keywords on Shopee’s search bar: “pre-loved”, “bundled”, “warehouse clearance”, “thrift”, “second hand”, “used”, “demo unit” and “pre-owned”. In addition, users can find titles for preloved Live Streams available to view in the Shopee mobile app. Shopee users should also note that from 24 March, Shopee has introduced ‘Change of Mind’, a free return and refund feature for the entire Fashion segment (Local Sellers only) on the marketplace,  to enable a ‘want not, waste not’ mindset this Ramadan and Raya.