Lazada launches Taobao Collection in more South-east Asian countries

After a “strong showing” in Singapore since March and following a recent successful launch in Malaysia, the Taobao Collection – selected from Chinese online shopping website Taobao – was introduced to three additional markets: Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Offered through the Lazada platform, this enables consumers in five South-east Asia countries to get access to millions of products in popular categories such as home, beauty tools, fashion, sports, travel and electronics accessories.

According to Lazada, specific products that have proven to be popular are lifestyle products that are not easily available in traditional retail outlets and especially in non-metro areas, such as stylish home decorations, kitchenware and furnishings, and an assortment of ladies, men’s and kids’ apparel and accessories.

The big selection is specially curated from the total range at Taobao as well as from the collection of brands at Tmall to appeal to the local tastes in the different countries, and is offered in the local languages on the Lazada sites. There are also the additional attractions of products being offered at affordable prices, delivered to the customers’ doorsteps, and covered by Lazada’s easy return and refund practice. Customers in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand can to choose cash-on- delivery to pay for their Taobao Collection purchases.

Taobao Collection launched in Indonesia on 25 September, the Philippines on 11 October, and Thailand on 1 November. Across South-east Asia, Lazada currently has 175 million products from international and local-country brands and merchants, with Taobao Collection contributing about 8 million per country and adding breadth to Lazada’s assortment, particularly in fashion and home and living.

Lazada group chief marketplace officer Aimone Ripa di Meana said that with the Taobao brand known throughout South-east Asia, he expects Taobao Collection to really take off in the region as it becomes available in more countries.

“There has been very strong interest in Taobao Collection products from Singapore consumers since introduced six months ago. This is a true testament to the way the Lazada and Alibaba teams have come together to build the business in a fast and efficient way combining consumer insights, technology know-how and local expertise.”