KUALA LUMPUR: Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses, small and large have suffered greatly.
To help some of the local franchises promote and sustain their businesses, the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) announced its collaboration with one of Malaysia's leading online shopping platforms, Shopee.
Through this collaboration, businesses in Malaysia can open an official account via Shopee, where they can promote and sell their products on the platform.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) between MFA Chairman Datuk Dr Radzali Hassan and Shopee was witnessed by Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Radzali in his speech said shoppers will be alerted to special promotions via the app when participating brands promote their products online.
This, he said, will help shoppers enjoy greater savings when they purchase their products online.
He added that local business owners can benefit from Shopee's vast business network which extended to other Asean regions including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
Also present at the ceremony were Shopee Malaysia's Fast-moving Consumer Goods Head Tan Ming Kit, KPDNHEP deputy minister Datuk Rosol Wahid; Secretary General Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad and Deputy Secretary General (Dometic Trade) Dr Alauddin Sidal.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Linggi said he welcomed the initiative as it will help franchise industry players whose businesses were also severely affected due to the outbreak.
"Online purchases have seen a remarkable surge since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and later the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
"Through this collaboration, I hope it will reduce some of the burden that these small businesses are facing now," he said, adding that his ministry will be refining the implementation of the programme and welcomed support and views from all industry players.
Meanwhile, Tan said that franchises can easily join the online shopping platform as Shopee readily provides digital solutions including training, setting up of official stores and activating ShopeePay e-wallet as the payment mode for its retailers.
"In April, Shopee launched a RM15 million Shopee Seller SubPackage to help businesses come online. And just last week, we concluded our first-ever Jom Cari Makan campaign to help over 400 F&B outlets by offering more than 1,000 meal vouchers at up to 50 per cent off, during the recovery phase."
Tan said during the peak of the campaign, on June 13 and 14 some F&B merchants had experienced a 12-times increase in sales and many of them were MFA members.
"We hope that more local franchises, too, will get to share the same kind of success by coming on board."
He said through the MoU today, Shopee pledges to assist local franchises, not just with setting up their online stores but also providing support through marketing tools and in-app features such as Shopee Live, Shopee Games, campaigns and more.
"In addition, we will offer contactless solutions in the form of our ShopeePay e-wallet which can be used both online and offline to help MFA's members synergise the full potential of omni-channel retail," he said, adding that MFA will serve as a mediator between franchises and Shopee to drive the digitalisation via Shopee's solutions.
He added the partnership was sensitive to the country and economy's needs as contactless transactions increase and also serve as a precautionary measure to keep Malaysians safe amid Covid-19.