Shopee Gives Seller-partners Affected by Corona Pandemic

Shopee provides capital assistance to new and old sales partners affected by the corona pandemic. The Singapore-based e-commerce company is preparing a stimulus of IDR 100 billion to help its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) partners due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Covid-19’s global pandemic has a huge impact on the economy, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurs. Decreased purchasing power as a result of the large number of employees laid off by the company caused the company’s turnover to be quite deep eroded.

The assistance is given so that the selling partners can maintain the sustainability of their business. “The economic activities of MSME partners can be maintained,” Shopee Indonesia Director Handhika Jahja said in a press release on Monday (4/13).

It is hoped that the stimulus of Shopee’s COVID-19 100M Support aimed at affected parties can maintain the continuity of Indonesian people’s access to essential needs – which is also the key to turning the wheels of the Indonesian economy.

Shopee MSME sales partners are the main target in the distribution of this assistance. In addition to being able to help Shopee’s MSME sales partners, the program is expected to be able to help Indonesian people who are indirectly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We provide stimulus to those most affected so that all can remain helpless. We hope that our initiatives can help ease the burden of all MSME sales partners, buyers, and Shopee frontline employees who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can all remain empowered,” Shopee Indonesia Director Handhika Jahja said in a statement on Monday (Monday) 4/13/2020).

The Company Also Pays Attention to the Needs of Buyers and Also Their Employees

In addition to MSME partners, Shopee also paid attention to the buyers to keep the consumption of the community and Shopee frontline employees who were placed in warehouses and delivery services to remain empowered.

For long-time sales partners, Shopee provides an additional capital of IDR 1 million in the form of vouchers. Then the new sales partner will receive initial capital assistance of up to Rp 1 million, and an advertising loan of Rp 150 thousand. Also, there is no charge for the Free Xtra Ongkir program.

For all sales partners, Shopee provides a 30% discount on administration fees for various services. Based on last year’s fourth-quarter data, the number of active Shopee sellers in Indonesia reached more than 3 million.

Also, the company held a Holiday Allowance (THR) program with a total prize of Rp 10 billion for users. To get this incentive, consumers must play Shopee Planting. THR is valid during the Big Ramadhan Sale campaign period.

Although Pandemic, Shopee Targets an Increase in Transactions

In Ramadan this year, Shopee is targeting a jump in transactions of more than 300% despite the corona pandemic. “Of course, this year we are targeting higher than last year,” Handhika said, last week (8/4).

Typically, the most popular products during Ramadan to Eid are Muslim fashion, women’s fashion, and beauty. Handhika estimates that the trend will change slightly this year. Staples, daily necessities, hand washing soap, and medical equipment such as masks and gloves are predicted to remain in demand until Lebaran.

For those staples, Shopee provides postage and discount subsidies. New users can also get free ShopeePay balances. Handhika ensures that the prices of products sold on its platform are reasonable.

“We try to always keep the price so that people can buy it,” he said. Also, for employees both as couriers and warehouse workers, Shopee provides the provision of masks, multivitamins, medicines, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants.

In its report, Shopee said based on data in the fourth quarter of 2019 the number of active Shopee sellers in Indonesia reached more than 3 million. In the same period App Anie reported that Shopee had the highest visit.