What are the benefits of social shopping for retailers in Malaysia 2023?

Social shopping is a trend that is gaining popularity among online shoppers, especially in Malaysia. Social shopping is the act of buying products or services online while interacting with other users or influencers on social media platforms. Social shopping can take various forms, such as:

• Live streaming: This is where sellers or influencers showcase their products or services live on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Shopee and interact with viewers who can ask questions, give feedback, or make purchases in real time.
• Social commerce: This is where sellers or influencers create their own online stores or pages on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok and sell their products or services directly to their followers or fans.
• Social recommendations: This is where shoppers rely on the opinions, reviews, ratings, or referrals of other users or influencers on platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, or Twitter before making a purchase decision.

Social shopping is not only beneficial for shoppers who can enjoy a more engaging, personalized, and convenient shopping experience, but also for retailers who can leverage the power of social media to boost their sales, brand awareness, and customer loyalty. Here are some of the benefits of social shopping for retailers in Malaysia 2023:

• Increased reach and exposure: Social shopping can help retailers reach a wider and more diverse audience than traditional e-commerce platforms. By using social media platforms that have millions of active users in Malaysia, retailers can showcase their products or services to potential customers who may not have visited their websites or physical stores before. Moreover, by collaborating with influencers who have large and loyal followings, retailers can tap into their influence and credibility to attract more customers and generate more word-of-mouth marketing.
• Enhanced customer engagement and retention: Social shopping can help retailers create a more interactive and immersive shopping experience for their customers. By using live streaming, social commerce, or social recommendations, retailers can communicate with their customers in real time, answer their queries, address their concerns, provide product demonstrations, offer discounts or incentives, and solicit feedback. This can help retailers build trust and rapport with their customers, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and encourage repeat purchases and referrals.
• Improved conversion and sales: Social shopping can help retailers increase their conversion and sales rates by reducing the friction and barriers that customers may face in the online shopping process. By providing customers with more information, guidance, inspiration, and social proof from other users or influencers, retailers can help customers overcome their doubts, fears, or hesitations and persuade them to buy their products or services. Furthermore, by offering customers the convenience of buying directly from social media platforms without leaving the app or switching to another website, retailers can reduce the chances of cart abandonment and increase the chances of impulse buying.

In conclusion, social shopping is a trend that is here to stay and grow in Malaysia 2023. Retailers who want to stay ahead of the competition and meet the changing needs and preferences of online shoppers should embrace social shopping as part of their online marketing strategy. By doing so, they can enjoy the benefits of increased reach and exposure, enhanced customer engagement and retention, and improved conversion and sales.