SingTel, Singapore’s major telecommunications provider, has launched a new e-commerce platformin cooperation with US firm Shopify offering a complete range of services including deliveries
which is likely to compete with SingPost’s e-commerce services.Covering Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and India, the Shopify solution offers an easy andaffordable way for individuals and SMEs to set up online shops within minutes and accept securecredit card payments for goods and services. Business owners across Singapore running Shopifystores can sell fashion, electronics, sporting goods, furniture and food.
According to SingTel, it was quite expensive and complex in the past to set up an online storerequiring web programming and design knowledge. With Shopify’s web-based solution, digital storescan be set up and ready for business with a few mouse clicks. Retailers can customise their onlinestorefronts, keep track of orders and manage customer data via a web browser. They can also takeadvantage of Shopify’s smartphone app.
In terms of payment, SingTel is working with payment providers in each country to enabletransactions in local currencies by September so retailers will be able to streamline their orderfulfillment process and profit from attractive shipping rates in the coming months. They can alsobenefit from local hotline technical support 24/7.
To help businesses with their online marketing efforts and enhance the functionality of theirstorefronts, SingTel will offer a range of optional services such as search engine marketing,social network integration, inventory management and email marketing capabilities.
Loo Cheng Chuan, SingTel Group Digital Life’s Head (LocalL!fe), said: “SingTel is excited by thetremendous growth opportunities in the e-commerce market. By 2015, 35% of internet users in theAsia Pacific region will make purchases online, and 30% of these transactions will be performed ona mobile device.”
“Shopify is an affordable and fuss-free solution to help entrepreneurs in emerging markets toexpand their reach in Asia and beyond. With more than 468 million mobile customers in 25 countries,SingTel is uniquely positioned to enable entrepreneurs to seize opportunities, not just inSingapore, but also in the region,” he added.
“We’re really excited to announce this partnership with SingTel,” Harley Finkelstein, Shopify’sChief Platform Officer, said. “We built Shopify to allow anyone with a product or a service toeasily create beautiful and highly scalable online stores, at an affordable price. SingTel is theideal partner for us, as we’re both focused on helping small businesses succeed in today’s globaleconomy. Together, we can help millions of small businesses and individuals build profitable onlineshops.”
Ottawa-based Shopify, which launched in 2006 with venture capital funding, says it currentlyhosts over 50,000 active online retailers in 100 countries, including North America, Europe andparts of Asia Pacific.
