COVID-19 has affected many businesses across the world and in Malaysia, it has affected SMEs, including traders, farmers, e-commerce sellers, and brick-and-mortar retailers drastically.
In light of this, Lazada, a key player in Southeast Asian e-commerce, has stepped up and tried to make life easier for many businesses in the country. Through its Smart Shop Package, Lazada has injected approximately US$2.31 million (RM10 million) to help local businesses.
This package which will go into effect as from April to June this year will see Lazada cover 100% of the cost of about 50,000 affected SMEs to sell their products through its platform.
This plan will cater for shipping, customized sales campaigns, and the SMEs will also receive a fixed weekly payment to help them ride out through the rough seas. Additionally, there will be zero listing fees and zero commission along with the opportunity to get micro loans for businesses plying their trade in groceries and fresh foods.
Why are they doing this?
Leo Chow, the Lazada’s chief executive officer, said that SMEs are paramount for Malaysia’s economy. He stated, “Local SMEs are essential to the nation’s economic growth and people’s livelihood and by helping them, we hope to bolster Malaysian’s confidence amid the COVID-19 situation. We believe it’s the responsibility of all platform operators to lend support in times like this to merchants who have made us successful.”
He further stated that they want to reach out to anyone who has a business and without any charges or payments they can continue to run their businesses while still benefiting from the e-commerce expertise and “robust logistics infrastructure” from Lazada.
Earlier in March when Malaysia imposed the Movement Control Order (MCO), the platform helped the affected fishermen and farmers by selling their products through its platform.
Interested SMEs can sign up with here.