Latest layoffs: Lazada reduces staff by 30%

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Hello reader,

My family recently adopted two new kittens – named Tobiko and Caviar – and it’s been a blast having them around the house. Tobiko is a tabby that’s really friendly and curious, but his brother Caviar is the complete opposite, always shy and hiding in any nook or cranny he can find.

Naturally, having two cats around means that we needed to purchase all the necessary things to take care of them such as litter, food, and toys. We also meshed up the windows to cat-proof the house since we live in an apartment.

We turned to ecommerce platforms since in-person stores tend to be a little more expensive. What I found really interesting was that almost everyone we spoke to suggested using Shopee or Amazon to purchase our items. No one even mentioned Lazada.

I wouldn’t know the overall situation, but it did seem to me that fewer people today are considering the Alibaba-owned platform as an option. If that’s the case, it might not be a complete surprise that Lazada is letting go of up to 30% of its staff.

Still, the sheer number of the job cuts is something that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Today we look at:

• Lazada letting go of up to 30% of its workforce
• Etherscan acquiring a fellow blockchain explorer
• Other newsy highlights such as Intel forming a new independent AI firm and Komunal’s extended series A round.

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Image credit: Timmy Loen

This is one of the more high-profile layoffs in a while. While we don’t have the full details yet, sources have shared some information about Lazada’s job cuts with Tech in Asia.

• Target locked: After layoffs were conducted in its Singapore office, the firm’s Malaysia unit is next on the chopping block, according to our sources. Executives from the country are already searching for job opportunities.
• No one spared: The job cuts are expected to impact employeesfrom each of Lazada’s markets, with those from the customer care, marketing, and commercial teams affected the most.
• When it rains: The move comes after several major departures in its Singapore office, including Loh Wee-Lee, who quit as Lazada’s CEO in the country last August.

Read more: Lazada expected to let go up to 30% of staff: sources

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