Ecommerce to drive ASEAN retail growth - report

Business-to-customers (B2C) internet sales in ASEAN account for 1% of total sales as opposed to 8% in developed economies, according to a report issued by the Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean BAC), nationmultimedia.com reports. According to global management consulting firm AT Kearney, Singapore is the only ASEAN country to be placed in the top 30 in a ranking led by the US, China and UK.

In the firms 2015 Global Retail E-Commerce Index, Singapore ranked 14th with a 41.5 score in terms of online market attractiveness. The study said the city state has infrastructure that makes the retail environment conducive for online shopping. In terms of consumer behaviour, Singapore was rated at 89.4, a score higher than the US, which indicated a favourable consumer base for online transactions.

Asean BAC said ecommerce technology is essential for the integration of ASEANs retail sector as it makes shopping easier for consumers. It also helps grow businesses without having to contend with too many pre-existing impediments. But, in order to develop ecommerce, the council said ASEAN needs to work on its logistics, develop an online payment system and promote access to finance.

ASEAN should also consider the establishment of a region-wide e-payment regulation system that will help companies identify their clients. To speed up the payment process, an e-payment escrow solution could also be explored, the council said in its report. ASEAN should also encourage partnerships between e-retailers and logistics players to improve trade efficiency.

The integration of logistics systems in ASEAN must be accelerated. The council added in its report that the ASEAN Single Window system should be fully-implemented. Asean BAC said access to finance and use of regional ecommerce platforms will help Asean ecommerce players keep up with their international competitors.

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