Taobao Malaysia Simplifies International Shopping, From App Navigation To Doorstep Delivery

By Siti Noor Afera Abu

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Taobao Malaysia is introducing a myriad of new service enhancements, making it easier than ever for Malaysians to shop across borders seamlessly. 

Tailored with upgrades from app navigation to delivery, the platform offers features like direct and free shipping, with 92 per cent of products eligible for doorstep delivery and orders above 199 renminbi qualifying for free shipping. 

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“Direct-shipped items can arrive within five days, streamlining the shopping experience. We now offer hundreds of millions of items that qualify for free shipping,” said Jess Lew, country manager for Tmall Taobao World, Malaysia.

She said with the addition of an English interface, Taobao Malaysia is also breaking down language barriers and dispelling the notion that overseas shopping is complicated. 

The interface provides detailed product descriptions in English powered by artificial intelligence (AI), estimated prices in Ringgit Malaysia, and a user-friendly layout. 

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Customer support is now available in English and Chinese, catering specifically to Malaysian users.

“In just a few weeks since introducing the English app interface, users of this new feature already contribute approximately 20 per cent of our newly acquired Taobao Malaysia users. This highlights a significant demand for products hosted by our platform among English speakers here,” Lew said.

Furthermore, the platform’s 11.11 sales event has made impressive progress, recording over 100 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in gross merchandise value (GMV) across key categories such as fashion, electronics, and home goods during the sale’s first shopping window, which ended on Oct 24.

Data from this initial shopping period shows Malaysian users gearing up for the year-end and New Year holiday season, with men’s clothing and loungewear for both men and women seeing GMV growth exceeding 160 per cent y-o-y.

Digital cameras and camcorders also saw an astonishing GMV growth of over 1,000 per cent, reflecting a surge in live streaming and personal brand-building trends among Malaysians on social media.

Taobao Eases Returns, Expands Payment Options for Malaysian Shoppers

Taobao Malaysia has further simplified the shopping experience with hassle-free local returns and a guaranteed compensation policy.

Shoppers can easily make returns through a local service, bypassing the need to send items back to the original seller overseas. Customers also have the option to schedule doorstep pickups for returns, with 90 per cent of items collected by Taobao’s logistics partner Cainiao the next day after a request is submitted, streamlining the return process.

In partnership with Cainiao, Taobao is also enhancing delivery services to ensure faster and more reliable arrivals. Beginning in November, Cainiao will expand its sorting facility in Malaysia by 3,000 square metres, which will boost the efficiency of goods circulation. 

Additionally, increased shipping frequency to West Malaysia will ease congestion and streamline customs clearance at destination ports.

For added reassurance, Taobao Malaysia offers compensation of up to 5,000 renminbi (RM3,000) in rare cases where an order is delayed beyond the guaranteed period.

Complementing these improvements, the online shopping portal provides a variety of payment options tailored for local users, including Touch 'n Go eWallet, Lazada Wallet, Apple Pay, credit card instalments, and online banking, all designed to make transactions smooth and flexible for shoppers.

11.11 Sale Offers Galore

Taobao Malaysia is rolling out special promotions for its 11.11 Sale, offering platform-wide discounts of 50 renminbi (RM29) for every 300 renminbi (RM170) spent, surprise instant discounts, daily free shipping vouchers, discount codes and more.

To ensure maximum savings, the platform also offers discounts for CIMB cardholders (RM25 off with a minimum spend of RM180), RHB cardholders (RM38 off with a minimum spend of RM250 or RM50 off with a minimum spend of RM500), and Public Bank cardholders (RM30 off with a minimum spend of RM300 or RM80 off with a minimum spend of RM600). 

For those who love an in-person experience, Taobao is hosting “Taobao x Tapak | Karnival G11.11LER!” from Nov 7-10 at Tapak Urban Street Dining in Kuala Lumpur, featuring fun activities and a mini concert for the public to win Taobao merchandise.

Enjoy seamless cross-border shopping with Taobao! Download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and join the second phase of the Taobao 11.11 Sale, live until Nov 11 for unbeatable holiday season deals.

-- BERNAMA