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IN FOCUS
In today’s newsletter, we look at:
- Shopee and the ecommerce platforms mimicking TikTok Shop
- What a potential ban for TikTok in the US might mean for Southeast Asia
- Why Temasek is making a bet on Yuu, the consumer loyalty platform
Hi there,
How much time do you spend on TikTok?
In Southeast Asia, over 500 million people spend 10 hours a week on social media platforms.
Ecommerce platforms, too, are now vying for consumers’ share of attention. Expecting viewers and creators to use a shopping app as they would a social media app, though, is a tall order.
In this week’s Big Story, my colleague Jofie looks at Shopee’s efforts to dial up its short-video offerings and build up a content library.
The ecommerce marketplace isn’t just drawing sellers onto the platform, it’s also enticing content creators to upload the same videos they would on TikTok – from funny sketches to life hacks.
Of course, Shopee isn’t the only ecommerce platform trying to mimic TikTok Shop’s success – Lazada and Tokopedia have also introduced short-video features on their respective marketplaces.
But those early efforts could be threatened by a potential ban on TikTok in the US, which may cause the firm to redirect efforts into Southeast Asia. I examine the potential impact of that in this week’s Hot Take.
— Melissa
THE BIG STORY
Shopee ramps up short-video efforts, but can it fend off TikTok Shop?
Image credit: Timmy Loen
THE HOT TAKE
NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
FYI
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