Shopee guests explore the diverse booths and experience an exciting event filled with exclusive deals and promotions at Shopee Malaysia HQ.
A STUDY on Malaysian women in ecommerce found that 100% of those who achieve economic inclusion share their success by uplifting other women in B40 and rural areas.
The “ShopeeSapotLokal Building Connected Communities” study was conducted by online ecommerce platform Shopee.
For 1,015 women sellers surveyed on the marketplace in April – two-thirds either hired single, rural or impoverished women or sourced directly from women-owned suppliers, while a third facilitated networking opportunities and training programmes.
These findings demonstrate that Malaysian women in the digital economy are not only supporting household dependants but are also 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 10 respondents valued the benefits and freedom of starting an online storefront easily with minimal investments and scaling it for sustainable growth.
Two in 10 respondents valued time available 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.
These are in addition to juggling their careers on top of household responsibilities and raising children.
When Generation Z chooses to buy from women-owned stores, the survey helps them understand why these women think it is important their business is supported – 60% of respondents are driven by career growth, financial empowerment and long-term stability.
Some 40% believe in making a positive impact with products that improve lives and being role models for women and children.
Shopee Malaysia marketing head Kenneth Soh said in a statement: “Our belief is that ecommerce should be accessible to all.
“With this survey, Shopee’s community of empowered businesswomen 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 listening and giving them the platform to succeed.”
“Their growing participation in ecommerce allows Malaysian women to give their view point on how to upskill other women to unlock their growth potential.”
Seventy percent of women surveyed said understanding people and delivering on trust as critical to success, 30% prioritised marketing as important to improve store content and deliver on their brand story, 20% focused on engaging shopping experiences to increase orders, and 20% emphasised customer service for star ratings and positive reviews. Only a third think upskilling is needed in navigating the platform features or optimising operations.
“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,” Soh added.
