Boost e-commerce in retail sector, says council
KUALA LUMPUR: As the government puts more emphasis on ecommerce, more improvements can be made for Malaysia to be at the forefront of the region’s wholesale and retail sector.
Malaysian Retailers Association council member Datuk Dr Ameer Ali Mydin said the modernisation of the shopping experience was a win-win situation for retailers but more could be done to ensure that the country would not be left behind in the borderless e-commerce world.
“The government has done well in ensuring that we are at the forefront (of the region’s wholesale and retail sector) as it gives impetus to retail players, big and small, to grow further.
“However, e-commerce is borderless, which means we need to improve our broadband services as well as logistics supply (chain management system).
“Traffic jams are a big hindrance to ecommerce as they affect delivery services. If we cannot deliver fast, the logistic costs become expensive. At the end of the day, consumers will have to pay for everything.”
Ameer said the focus on e-commerce would augur well for the big players of brick and mortar businesses who focused on bigger ticket items, as well as smalland medium-sized business which focused on niche markets.
The New Straits Times Press’ annual report stated that the government was committed to supporting, improving and sustaining development in the wholesale and retail sector as it was the biggest contributor to Malaysia’s gross domestic product last year at 15.5 per cent.
It stated that emphasis on digital innovation should ensure (the country’s) competitive edge in the global retail arena and help maintain its position as one of the leading retail destinations globally.
“The thriving ecommerce ecosystem in Malaysia is expected to double the average revenue per user by 2021. The high number of user penetration and demand for price transparency, along with advances in mobile payment infrastructure, has brought forth innovations in retailing practices that enhance customer experience and satisfaction.”