Shopee Partners with Government Agencies to Empower Local Sellers with Regulatory Knowledge

Shopee Malaysia recently concluded its second Shopee Digital Platform Upskilling Summit, a pioneering initiative that equipped over 1,000 local sellers with essential regulatory knowledge. Collaborating with key government agencies, this five-part programme, the first of its kind in the industry, tackled the complexities of compliance, product authenticity, and consumer trust. The initiative aligns with the government's efforts to empower MSMEs and gig workers while fostering sustainable growth in Malaysia’s digital economy.

The summit’s first series introduced sellers to critical aspects of regulatory compliance. Experts from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) provided insights on business registration, the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) covered product certification, and the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) addressed intellectual property protection. The Pharmaceutical Control Division (PCD) also shared guidance on beauty and skincare product regulations.

The second series delved into more complex regulatory challenges. The Ministry of Health (MOH) advised sellers on food advertising laws, while the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) guided them through the intricacies of pricing and counterfeit goods regulations. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) focused on Halal awareness, educating sellers on certification processes and ensuring their products comply with Islamic dietary laws.

Md. Zaki bin Abd Samad, Head of Sector (Prevention), Enforcement Section at KPDN Selangor, expressed his appreciation for the summit, saying, “This event has been instrumental in bridging the gap between sellers and regulators. The hybrid format, which combines in-person sessions with online participation, allowed us to engage directly with sellers, answer their queries, and clarify complex regulations. This interaction helps sellers avoid legal pitfalls and enhances their ability to comply.”

Badruzzaman bin Abdul Rahim, Senior Principal Assistant Director, from MOH’s Food Safety and Quality Program highlighted the summit for its educational value, “This program is an excellent platform for Shopee sellers to gain a deeper understanding of food advertising regulations. It’s crucial that product labels and advertisements align with our laws. This session equips sellers with the knowledge they need to comply confidently, fostering a responsible and trustworthy marketplace.”

Participants also benefited from Shopee University sessions on increasing traffic, boosting sales, and optimising listings using advanced tools like ChatGPT.

Sellers who attended the summit shared their thoughts on the program. Bibi Farizona Mahdi, owner of Umairah Homemade Cakes on Shopee, remarked, “This program has been incredibly useful for understanding government regulations. The insights we gained are essential for navigating compliance and driving our business forward.” Wu Chih Ping, General Manager Local Sales of Chek Hup, a renowned Malaysian coffee brand added, “Shopee’s collaboration with government agencies has boosted my confidence in the platform. Their commitment to helping us understand compliance issues builds trust and equips us with valuable knowledge.”

Tan Ming Kit, Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence at Shopee Malaysia, emphasised, “Our commitment goes beyond providing tools for success. We recognise that selling online involves adhering to industry frameworks on business registration, advertisements, data protection, and payment regulations. By forging impactful partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders, we aim to strengthen the e-commerce ecosystem and empower local sellers. We strive to unleash their full potential and drive Malaysia's digital economy forward. Working together, we can make a lasting impact and support the growth of our entrepreneurs.”

The next series of the Shopee Digital Platform Upskilling Summit is expected to take place between November and early 2025. More information on upcoming sessions and collaborations with relevant authorities will be provided closer to the date.

OATSIDE Introduces Two New Coffee Flavours: Mocha and Caramel Macchiato

OATSIDE, a leading producer of creamy oat milk in Asia, is excited to announce the expansion of its OATSIDE Coffee range with two new flavors: Caramel Macchiato and Mocha. These bold additions, crafted with a carefully roasted blend of coffee beans and OATSIDE’s signature Barista Blend oat milk, embody the tagline “OATSIDE and Coffee, It’s So Ngam!” and seamlessly fit into your daily routine, allowing you to enjoy your favorite coffee anytime, anywhere. Since its launch in Malaysia in 2022, OATSIDE’s Barista Blend has gained a devoted following among cafes, baristas, and consumers, making it the perfect base for these new blends tailored to the high standards of coffee enthusiasts. The new variants will make their debut at the Ping Min Coffee Festival 2.0 in Kuala Lumpur from 27 to 29 September 2024.

“We launched our Pocket Packs earlier this year in Malaysia and received an incredible response to our OATSIDE Coffee Oat Lattes. This enthusiasm inspired us to introduce Caramel Macchiato and Mocha, ensuring there's something for every coffee lover. The Mocha features a rich, chocolate-forward profile, while the Caramel Macchiato balances strong molasses and toffee notes with the coffee's bitterness. These flavors not only taste amazing but also adhere to Singapore’s Nutri-Grade B guidelines by maintaining low sugar levels,” said Benedict Lim, OATSIDE’s Founder and CEO.

Meet OATSIDE Caramel Macchiato and OATSIDE Mocha

CARAMEL MACCHIATO

Get ready to be mind blown by your coffee routine with OATSIDE’s Caramel Macchiato! This ain’t just any cup of joe — it’s a daring blend of creamy oats and caramel swag that’s here to shake things up. Say goodbye to boring brews and hello to a caffeinated adventure!

Perfect for mornings when you need a kick and afternoons that demand a treat, OATSIDE Caramel Macchiato is your go-to for unleashing your inner rebel and indulging in the luscious goodness of oats and caramel in every sip.

MOCHA

Can’t decide between chocolate or coffee? Have both with OATSIDE Mocha.

Meet OATSIDE’s Mocha: the cheeky blend that’s here to shake up your coffee game. Picture this: a rebellious marriage of expertly roasted blend of coffee beans and the velvety smoothness of oats, all in one irresistibly creamy concoction. Dairy-free and lactose-free, it’s perfect for those who crave a luscious mocha experience without any compromises. Every sip is a harmonious blend of deliciousness and indulgence.

Both OATSIDE Caramel Macchiato and OATSIDE Mocha are made with expertly roasted coffee beans paired with the same OATSIDE oat base that you love, are plant-based, free of cholesterol and lactose with low saturated fats. Soon to be available at Family Mart, 7-Eleven, myNews, CU, Emart, Lotus, Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, AEON, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and more.

Dive into the vibrant world of coffee at Ping Min’s Coffee Festival 2.0, where OATSIDE proudly joins as an official partner to celebrate Malaysia’s love for all things coffee. From 27-29 September at Piazza, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, festival-goers can expect a blend of exciting activities and exclusive opportunities to bring home OATSIDE’s latest coffee flavour pocket packs and exclusive merchandise, available while stocks last.

In collaboration with Golden Dough, get ready for an exhilarating experience with the Giant Dice Jam. Pair up with a friend and face off in a thrilling test of coordination as both participants roll giant dice simultaneously. The challenge? Match the same side three times within a 15 seconds. A successful match rewards winners with a delicious Doughfee, filled with creamy OATSIDE Coffee.

For an extra spin of excitement, purchase a bundle of 3 OATSIDE Coffee Pocket Packs for an exclusive price of RM9 to unlock the chance to play Twin Spin. Align matching icons on two spinning wheels for the opportunity to win fantastic prizes!

Don’t forget to cool down at the Slushie Station, where signature OATSIDE Coffee flavors are transformed into refreshing slushies – a frosty twist on your favorite blends. Enjoy an OATSIDE slushie in two ways: win a “FREE OATSIDE SLUSHIE” through the Twin Spin challenge or purchase one for just RM7.

OATSIDE coffee series will be at Ping Min Coffee Festival 2.0 for a weekend of flavour, fun, and exclusive goodies. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just looking for unique activities, there’s something ngam sekali—perfectly suited—for everyone to enjoy.

About OATSIDE

OATSIDE’s mission is to provide a healthy, sustainable oat milk for people who don’t care for plant milks, by being incredibly delicious. As one of Asia’s only full-stack plant milk startups, OATSIDE is committed to delivering high quality oat milk from its state-of-the-art facility, ensuring that the process from oat to milk is sustainably-sourced and unadulterated for your enjoyment. OATSIDE is made from roasted oats, promising a creamy, malty, and rich mouthfeel with a hint of the unique nutty flavour from roasted oats.

For more information, visit www.oatside.com

Shopee Empowers Over 100,000 New Local Entrepreneurs in 2024

Shopee’s ‘Sayangi Malaysia, Jom Rai Lokal 2024’1 study reveals a significant milestone in the Malaysian e-commerce landscape: over 100,000 entrepreneurs joined the Shopee ecosystem in 2024. This substantial increase reflects the rising acknowledgement of e-commerce as a vital and sustainable business model in today’s rapidly changing digital market.

“The impressive growth of Malaysian entrepreneurs on our platform this year is a testament to their proactive embracing of digital opportunities. Shopee remains dedicated to providing local Malaysian businesses with the essential resources including Affiliate Marketing Solutions, third-party logistics services, and Shopee Live to thrive in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. We are proud to play a part in the journey for local enterprises to broaden their reach, optimise their operations, and achieve growth in this ever-evolving economy,” said Ming Kit Tan, Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence at Shopee Malaysia.

Shopee Live has emerged as a powerful instrument for local entrepreneurs, with a 113% increase in new sellers live streaming in 2024. This rise shows Shopee Live's growing importance as Malaysia's go-to platform for live commerce. Local sellers recognise Shopee Live’s interactive features that facilitate direct customer engagement, allowing them to build stronger, lasting relationships. The platform’s ease of entry and real-time feedback mechanisms are proving crucial in helping businesses stand out in a competitive marketplace, create meaningful connections with their customers, and reach nationwide audiences. The adoption of Shopee Live as a key business strategy is clear, with local sellers conducting over 1.4 million livestreams and receiving more than 27 million unique comments from users this year. 

Petals Malaysia2, a Selangor-based hair care brand, joined Shopee in 2021 to offer sustainable, wudhu’-friendly, Made-in-Malaysia products tailored to local preferences. Before joining Shopee, their market presence was limited to retail outlets, restricting their exposure and visibility. "Shopee provided access to a vast online audience, significantly expanding our market reach," said Khairul Azman, Founder of Petals Malaysia. "Shopee Live has also transformed our customer engagement. Through live sessions, we directly interact with shoppers, answer their questions in real time, and effectively showcase our products. This immediate engagement builds trust and drives purchases. We also use live polls and Q&A sessions to involve viewers, gather feedback, and enhance the overall shopping experience." Petals has sold over 26,000 units of their best-selling halal hair dye ‘Hair Color Shampoo’ since 2021.

The study also highlights a 65% increase in Shopee Live sellers from Malaysia’s East Coast, reflecting the platform’s success in helping local businesses expand their reach across the country. This underscores Shopee’s commitment in helping entrepreneurs from less urbanised regions to grow with e-commerce. East Coast sellers are using Shopee Live to build brand loyalty and deepen customer engagement, helping the platform create more opportunities for aspiring business-owners across Malaysia. 

Shopee’s top 500 locally-owned enterprises have achieved an average of 50% year-on-year growth in 2024, demonstrating the platform’s effectiveness in driving business expansion. This success highlights the strength of Shopee’s ecosystem and its role in helping sellers innovate and grow. The ‘Sayangi Malaysia, Jom Rai Lokal 2024’ study also shows Shopee’s commitment to supporting local businesses and growing the digital economy. Shopee continues to be an important partner for homegrown businesses, offering tools and services that help sellers achieve new levels of success.

1. Study Methodology: The “Sayangi Malaysia, Jom Rai Lokal 2024” study was conducted by Shopee Malaysia with year-to-date platform data up to 31 July 2024.

2. Petals Malaysia is a Selangor-based, 100% Bumiputera business that specialises in Muslim-friendly hair care products. Their products are approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) and HALVEC (JAKIM Panel Laboratory).