#ShopeeGivesBack raised RM2.9 million to support underserved families

#ShopeeGivesBack, Shopee’s long-term community initiative, has collectively raised RM2.9 million across two years, through fundraising efforts with over 40 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to help underprivileged Malaysians in times of need. 

#ShopeeGivesBack which launched on 1 May 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, uses technology to help the underserved in Malaysia across four areas: underprivileged communities development, children and family services, health charities, and environmental charities. The platform provides Malaysians with an online avenue to support their favourite causes in the most convenient way. Shopee ensures that these NGOs have credible track records and are registered with the Registry of Societies.

RM2.1 million came through always-on platform donations as buyers shopped on a daily basis and made informed choices on which causes to donate to via the #ShopeeGivesBack dedicated microsite. 56% of donations raised through this channel went to B40 and community aid NGOs such as Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa, Islamic Relief Malaysia, and Pusat Jagaan Nurul Jannah. 20% of the funds raised went to NGOs providing medical kits and mobile clinics during floods such as MERCY Malaysia. 14% of the donations assisted partners like UNICEF Malaysia in meeting critical needs of marginalised children and their families in Covid-19. 10% went towards environmental causes such as Zoo Negara, where the funds aid in the annual food, enrichment, and veterinary care of the animals.

RM800,000 was raised during special e-commerce campaigns helping targeted causes: Zoo Negara ticket sales for example raised over RM400,000 for animal welfare whereas over RM200,000 in flood relief funds (including RM100,000 matching contribution from Shopee) helped 1,300 families rebuild their lives after recent floods in Kedah, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan.  

Huiyan Pan, Head of Brand Marketing at Shopee Malaysia said, “Based on the estimates from our key community development NGOs, we would have provided food and essential supplies to over 3,000 families in dire need during the pandemic. Shopee is humbled to be able to obtain the support of our NGO partners and galvanise shoppers on our marketplace to contribute towards long-term sustainability of these communities.”

Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa, Islamic Relief Malaysia, and Pusat Jagaan Nurul Jannah are #ShopeeGivesBack’s longer-term partner NGOs. These three NGOs raised nearly RM400,000 in food aid, essential needs and household products for B40 families and homes in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak.

“Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa was moved by the kindness of Malaysians to aid the underprivileged communities that have been affected by various unfortunate circumstances. The #ShopeeGivesBack program has provided a platform for generous donors to pledge their support, and we are grateful for the trust Malaysians placed in us to give back to the needy,” said Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, Founder of Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa.

Malaysian online fashionistas celebrated endemicity in Boho-inspired style

Malaysians’ fashion purchase driven by the need to switch from casual to office wear post-pandemic? Shopee’s fashion purchase insight tells another story.

The trend shows that colourful Boho appeal which came back in Spring/Summer 2021 made it through Fall/Holiday 2021 and Spring/Summer 2022 on Shopee. However, it may be phasing out soon to make way for fall/holiday 2022 colour blocking. 

Shopee’s data revealed that Malaysians were buying 21 per cent more Boho influenced clothing between 1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022.  

The trend, according to Shopee, gradually took over the more practical athleisure clothing starting from the first half of 2021 when sales for athleisure wear tapered off by 10.2 per cent compared to the same period the year before. This was the beginning point for colourful outerwears, peasant blouses, flowy maxi dresses and skirts, loose and lightweight button-down shirts with retro patterns, denims and slacks.

The height of this trend, according to Shopee users’ purchase insight came in the first quarter of this year when Malaysians were fulfilling their suppressed travel and leisure appetite with vacations, hang outs at cafes, shopping malls and more.

The total number of purchases for boho themed chino pants increased by 114 per cent, dresses 55 per cent and skirts 41 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Conversely, searches for lounge and sleepwear continue to drop.

With boho inspired style reaching its optimum point, Shopee Malaysia users’ purchase trend, in alignment with the global fashion trend, started to show a shift towards colour blocking.

Between March and May this year, as global fashion labels started to give consumers a glimpse into their upcoming fall/holiday 2022 collection which mainly consist of faux leather jackets, tank tops and mason pants, we see users starting to prepare their wardrobes to be on trend for the next half of the year.

Neutral, ivory and peachy beige colour palettes were gradually replacing the colourful boho-chic styles. This purchase pattern, according to Shopee’s consumers’ insight, had its beginning in the second quarter of this year.

Between April and June this year, Shopee users were starting to purchase 13 per cent more blazers and coats from the quarter before and this upward trend is expected to stay until the end of fall/holiday season 2022.

With the rise in demand for blazers and coats, Shopee also saw a 35 per cent increase in sales for undershirts between the first quarter and second quarter this year.

Consequently, demand for trousers – with fitted waists and wide hems — also saw a 10 per cent increase.

With the gradual transition between fashion trends, Malaysians are also seen to be buying new footwear to match.

Malaysians are seen purchasing sandals and mules to match their Boho influenced outfit while  loafers, high and low tops, stilettos and oxfords were purchased to gear themselves up to head back to their offices after a long hiatus. As such, these items saw an increase in demand and are replacing flip flops this year compared to last year. 

According to Shopee, the buying behaviour observed is a sign that Malaysian online fashion shoppers are beginning to enjoy dressing on trend again. With Malaysia in the endemic phase, Malaysians are also bracing themselves for the cooler days ahead in their air conditioned offices after fulfilling their suppressed appetite for leisure and travel.