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Hi readers,
The logistics sector became busier during the pandemic. While most people stayed at home, couriers drove around delivering packages.
Case in point: In Jakarta, I now see more branches of logistics services. They have small shops to receive packages from senders as well as distribution branches.
One thing that caught my attention was the emergence of a number of Shopee Xpress branches in several locations around the city. At first, I wondered if the numerous branches meant that Shopee Xpress provided delivery services for the public outside the Shopee platform.
Apparently, that’s not the case. These branches are focused on taking care of packages from Shopee alone.
The ecommerce major has indeed invested heavily to build a network of in-house fleets in recent years. That’s not only true in Indonesia – the same situation can be found in other markets, including the Philippines.
When I read the news about the end of a six-year partnership between Shopee and the Philippine logistics firm QuadX last November, I wondered what had happened. What’s interesting is that QuadX isn’t the only courier to end their ties with the ecommerce platform – multinational shipping firm Ninja Van also no longer works with Shopee in the Philippines.
With the end of these two partnerships, is Shopee Xpress Philippines strong enough to take on local shipping demands with its own logistics facilities?
Perhaps the growing development of in-house logistics would shift the industry landscape in the future.
— Jofie Yordan, journalist at Tech in Asia
Top stories this week
Image credit: Timmy Loen
1️. What Shopee’s breakup with Ninja Van, QuadX in the Philippines means for 3PL firms
Following the breakup, Ninja Van still has fairly strong ecommerce partners in the country: Lazada and TikTok Shop.
2. Sea Group enters choppy waters with latest Malaysia deals
The tech titan’s ambitious plans have been panned by Malaysian analysts and former bureaucrats.
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