Shopee, a company by Sea, is a leading online shopping platform that started in Singapore in 2015 and then grew internationally. It’s the largest eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia, helping both sellers and consumers with goods from big retailers and local merchants.
Many of our global customers at Remitly are curious about platforms like Shopee, so we did the research to explain what it is and how it works. Here’s your updated guide.
What Is Shopee?
Shopee is an easy-to-use eCommerce platform popular in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond. It’s similar to an eCommerce marketplace like eBay or Amazon, where both individuals and businesses can sell their products.
Shopee’s Main Countries:
Other Available Regions and Countries:
- Latin America (e.g., Mexico)
- Europe
- India
History:
- Started as consumer-to-consumer (C2C)
- Now also supports business-to-consumer (B2C)
Delivery Partners:
- NinjaVan
- Pos Malaysia
- Pos Indonesia
Leer en español: Todo sobre Shopee
How Does Shopee Work?
The platform and app work like other online shopping sites. You can search for products or browse by category.
How to Shop:
- Search Products: Type in what you’re looking for.
- Browse Categories: Look through different product categories.
- Find Deals: Check out flash sales and daily deals on the homepage.
- Shop by Region: Choose your country to see local products and prices.
How Does Shopee Earn Money?
The company makes money by charging sellers a fee for each sale and from advertisements that sellers place.
Ways Shopee Earns:
- Transaction fees (commissions)
- Advertisements
Similar Platforms:
- Alibaba
- AliExpress
- eBay
- Lazada (desktop-only, Shopee is mobile-focused)
Is Shopee Safe?
Like other large online retailers, the brand works for its users to prevent fraud and scams.
Safety Measures:
- Preventing Fake Items: Policies to stop the sale of counterfeit products.
- Banning Rule-Breakers: Suspends or bans users who break the rules.
- Shopee Guarantee: Holds payments until the buyer receives their order.
- Security Tips: Regularly update passwords and read seller reviews.
What Are Preferred Sellers?
Shopee has a “Preferred Seller” program for sellers with high positive feedback and sales.
Preferred Seller Perks:
- Special labels showing a positive record
- More trust and visibility with buyers
Can I Use Shopee?
If it’s available in your region, you can. Just select your country and language to see deals and items that can be delivered to you.
How to Start Shopping:
- Select Your Country: Get a local shopping experience.
- Check Shipping Costs: See accurate shipping prices for your area.
Why Is Shopee So Popular?
The service is well-known because of its social-first, mobile-friendly design. Lately, it’s grown fast in the Indonesian market, Brazilian market, and other countries beyond its home base.
- Social Media Marketing: Uses Instagram and YouTube influencers.
- Mobile App: Offers real-time shopping and various payment options, and is available on iPhone and Android.
- Wide Range of Products: From electronics to fashion.
- Support for Sellers: Helps both local merchants and big retailers.
- Interactive Shopping: Features like Shopee Live and live-streaming.
- Easy Payments: ShopeePay allows for fast in-app payments.
Can I Use Shopee in the USA?
It’s not yet available in the USA or in Canada. However, it is expanding in areas like Latin America (e.g., Mexico) and parts of Europe. Stay tuned.
What Is the Purpose of the Platform?
The main purpose of using Shopee is to buy and sell goods, as a modern online shopping experience. It doesn’t deal in remittances or other types of money transfers; the business is straightforward in that sense.
What Are the Main Features?
Key Features Include:
- Shopee Mall: Products from top brands and authorized retailers.
- Shopee Live: Real-time product showcasing and customer engagement.
- In-app Vouchers: Discounts and promotions in the app.
- ShopeePay: In-app payments.
- Reliable Delivery: Supported logistics partners for efficient shipping.
How Does it Compare to Other Online Marketplaces?
The brand has succeeded by focusing on specific regional markets and offering a tailored shopping experience.
- Focus on Region: Leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, also growing in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
- Mobile-Friendly: Shopee focuses on mobile shopping, unlike Lazada.
- Interactive Features: Engaging tools like Shopee Live.
- Business Model: Supports both C2C and B2C transactions.
- Safety Measures: Active in preventing fraud and ensuring secure transactions. Visit Shopee SG for more details.
Is Shopee a Chinese Company?
No, Shopee is not a Chinese company. It’s part of Sea Group, which is a multinational company from Singapore. They service started in Singapore and is headquartered there, not in China.
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What Accounts for Its Growth?
The platform saw a lot of growth in 2023, gaining millions of new customers. This was mainly because of its expansion in places like Mexico and Brazil, along with its continued success in Southeast Asia. Its GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) continues growing.
Growth Factors:
- Expansion into new markets
- Improved online shopping experience
- Increased use of mobile shopping
What Are Shopee Product Listings?
Product listings include a wide range of items that you can buy. These come from both individual sellers and established businesses.
Types of Listings:
- Electronics: Gadgets and appliances.
- Fashion: Clothes, shoes, and accessories.
- Beauty Products: Cosmetics and skincare items.
- Home Goods: Furniture and decor.
Are There Any Scams to Watch Out For?
The app has several safety measures in place, but it’s still important to be cautious.
- Phishing Scams: Fake emails or messages asking for personal info.
- Fake Listings: Products that are misrepresented or counterfeit.
- Payment Scams: Requests to pay outside of Shopee.
Safety Tips:
- Check Seller Reviews: Look at feedback and ratings.
- Use Shopee Guarantee: Make sure payments go through Shopee for protection.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Contact Shopee customer service if you see anything suspicious.
How Do I Become a Shopee Seller?
If the service is available in your country, it’s not difficult to become a seller.
Steps to Start Selling:
- Sign Up: Register on Shopee using your email or social media.
- Set Up Your Shop: Fill in your shop details, like name and logo.
- List Your Products: Add your products with clear descriptions and good photos.
- Verify Your Identity: Complete the verification process.
- Start Selling: Once your shop is set up, you can start selling and managing orders.
- Get Started: Visit the company’s Seller Center to register and learn more.