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Philippines: Investments needed in tech, infrastructure for e-commerce growth
MANILA, Philippines — Investments are needed in technology solutions and infrastructure to allow retail businesses in the country to take advantage of opportunities in e-commerce.
Alexander Friedhoff, chief executive officer and co-founder of e-commerce enabler Etaily, said in a webinar the ongoing shift to e-commerce is opening opportunities and making the digitalization of retail businesses an absolute must.
While e-commerce is expected to continue to grow in the country and in Southeast Asia given the ongoing pandemic, he said “many retailers and vendors are struggling to navigate the complex and competitive e-commerce landscape, lacking in the infrastructure, resources and experience needed to sustain and design complementing offline as well as online channels.”
With e-commerce seen to continue rising, Etaily sees technology solutions as essential to help retailers thrive and navigate the e-commerce landscape.
As e-commerce grows and becomes complex, Etaily chief operating officer Tatiana Cziomer said the firm could provide the solutions to meet the needs of different retailers.
While retail businesses can set up their own store in online shopping platforms, Etaily chief commercial officer Toti Wong said solutions offered by the company would give retail partners an advantage.
“The marketplaces, when we started operating in 2017, are totally different today. And in the coming months and years, this will not get any simpler. So, as an e-commerce enabler, Etaily’s role is to navigate and master these complexities for brands, sellers so they don’t have to learn and they can focus on their core business on brand management, distribution and retailing. That will be a big difference,” he said.
For his part, Magsaysay Shipping and Logistics president and chief executive officer Jesse Maxwell said logistics across the country should be able to keep up with the growing demand to allow e-commerce to reach its full potential.
“The Philippines logistics infrastructure is something challenging to work with. We are an archipelago. Moving things at the pace we want, we need to put in more investments in necessary infrastructure like warehouses, trucks, last mile,” he said.
He said the government through regulations and programs for the upskilling and training for workers, would likewise help promote the growth of e-commerce.
Etaily, which was established last year, offers a one-stop solution covering warehousing and fulfillment, technology to integrate digital channels, channel management, performance and social media marketing to businesses engaged in fast moving consumer goods, beauty, fashion, home and living, and consumer electronics.
The company recently, raised $1.6 million from a round of seed funding led by Ayala Ventures, Foxmont Capital, and Magsaysay Logistics.
Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/08/19/2120927/investments-needed-tech-infrastructure-e-commerce-growth