MANILA – Filipino consumers are becoming meticulous, favoring user-friendly platforms and well-reviewed products when shopping online, the country’s leading e-commerce company Shopee said.
In an interview during a recent pre-event for the firm’s upcoming 9.9 Super Day Sale this September, Shopee head for public affairs Erin Tagudin said good reviews by fellow consumers have become a main consideration for Filipinos when weighing what to purchase online.
“They’re more smart now than before. Hindi na sila nahuhulog masyado sa (They no longer easily fall prey to) scams, so they read reviews and they’re more meticulous on what they buy,” Shopee head for public affairs Erin Tagudin said.
Regardless if the product is cheap or on the pricey end, Tagudin said consumers make sure that what they buy is of good quality.
“What they usually do and this is what we’ve seen in our focus review group studies is that they look at reviews closely. And, if the reviews are good and have good stars that’s what they buy,” she added.
The e-commerce sector contributed at least 14 percent to the country’s PHP2.05 trillion digital economy in 2023, based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Citing market research and data analysis firm Statista, Shopee Philippines head Vincent Lee said the Philippines also ranked as the second fastest-growing retail e-commerce with a 24.1 percent sales growth rate this year.
“This signal(s) that there's still so much room for us to grow and for the Filipinos to harness the opportunity of e-commerce,” he said.
In the Philippines, Lee said Shopee will continue improving and expanding its platform to include more brands, feature competitively-priced products, and provide flexible payment options, among others.
“Our goal is to continually enhance online shopping, placing user experience at the forefront and building consumer confidence in shopping online,” he said. “We aim to create a cycle of success that starts with customer satisfaction, which not only strengthens our customer loyalty, but also fuels sustained growth for our sellers and brands on our platforms.” (PNA)