E-commerce platforms come to aid of communities

Lazada has been supporting Vietnamese businesses via various means

With the pandemic continuing to cause havoc, this digitalisation will in turn help build sustainable local communities, especially in more rural parts of the country that have been hardest-hit economically. As a leading e-commerce platform in the region, Lazada has remained strong with the long-standing mission to make it easy to do business everywhere, as well as enhancing the shopping experience for users.

In the current pandemic situation in Vietnam, Lazada has activated initiatives to support small- and medium-sized enterprises and farmers, including offering their popular lychee products on the platform.

Last month, the platform collaborated with the Vietnamese government and partners to enable the sale of Hai Duong and Bac Giang lychees on Lazada. This initiative is part of Lazada Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to support local businesses and farmers in Vietnamese provinces, and to help them continue their production and operations despite challenges of the pandemic.

Businesses can leverage the world-class technologies and proprietary logistics network of Lazada, which offers tools for sales promotions, free shipping, and livestreaming which can help enhance traffic and sales conversion rates for merchant stores on Lazada and help them attract and retain customers.

Since Lazada handles more than 85 per cent of the total parcels being delivered in the region and operates an intelligent and integrated logistics and supply chain network, businesses can count on their products being delivered to buyers on time, intact, and in the most cost-efficient way. In addition, consumers benefit by having access to delicious, fresh, and healthy produce at their fingertips. They can now enjoy delightful specialty produce such as the sweet lychee from the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Bac Giang, without having to leave the comfort and safety of their own homes.

The pilot of selling lychee products last month saw very encouraging results. Nearly half a tonne was sold within four hours on launch day and all products were delivered within four hours of ordering to ensure freshness.

Continuing to work with the Vietnamese government and local authorities to prevent and repel the increasingly complicated pandemic, e-commerce platforms continue to offer new initiatives. Regarding Lazada Vietnam, it already launched an emergency support package as well as partnered with the Hope Foundation to raise funds and support for communities and the frontline workers against the pandemic.

Hundreds of thousands of fresh milk boxes and water bottles were sent to Bac Giang and its neighbouring province Bac Ninh to support the doctors, nurses, and armed forces. Previously, in both March and August last year, Lazada donated 100,000 medical masks, 10,000 protective suits, and some negative pressure isolation rooms to Ho Chi Minh City and the central city of Danang.

The third phase of the stimulus package, targeted to help up to 100,000 new sellers to overcome the difficulties of the pandemic with a total value of up to VND10 billion ($435,000), was also activated this year as part of Lazada’s endless efforts in accompanying and supporting smaller local businesses.

Lazada Vietnam CEO James Dong said, “We want to do what we can during these times to support our frontline workers, consumers, brands, and sellers, and all who are our partners in this ecosystem. We hope this package and series of activities that go with it will help the community overcome the challenges of this pandemic, so that the Vietnamese economy can continue to digitalise and thrive.”

E-commerce platforms are providing businesses with additional revenue streams, a more expansive customer network, and opportunities to acquire new customers and engage them in more innovative ways, and Lazada is no exception. They are also helping give consumers more options and a more convenient, safer, and creative way to shop and meet their needs as citizens get used to a prolonged period of time dealing with pandemic restrictions.