Rakuten TARAD.com expects 3G roll-out to ignite e-commerce growth in Thailand Ease of shopping to attract new e-commerce customers
BANGKOK, July 19 2013 - Rakuten TARAD.com, one of Thailand’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, believes the availability of 3G networks in Thailand will help drive the growth of e-commerce and the success of its mobile platform as shoppers can seamlessly visit, browse and make online transactions on-the-go.
During the first half of 2013 smartphone sales have been accelerating in Thailand accounting for 42% of handsets sold in Thailand in the last 12 months, according to GfK. This trend, in tandem with the introduction of 3G services, is expected to expand Thailand’s online community and create endless opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs in e-commerce, with merchants on the Rakuten TARAD.com platform in prime position.
“We updated our mobile platform last year in anticipation of 3G service roll-out and have reaped the rewards with 29% of traffic and 13% of sales coming via our dedicated m-commerce website, an increase of around 20%. We expect existing mobile Internet users to increase their usage and new smartphone owners to try out m-commerce for the first time. People will spend more time online using their mobile device offering greater opportunities for e-commerce merchants to promote their goods, and today’s retailers must tap into mobile commerce to attract new customers as it becomes easier to surf and shop,” said Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, founder and managing director of Rakuten TARAD.com.
Kasikorn Research Center has predicted digital content services on mobile will grow by more than 40% in 2013 and expects 3G services, along with higher confidence in payment security and an increase in online marketing activities, to fuel a 25-30% growth of the e-commerce industry in Thailand.
In addition to refreshing its mobile commerce site, Rakuten TARAD.com has also boosted efforts on social media, recording significant growth of new fans on Facebook leading to a 250% increase in sales. Key merchants have also used social media to increase exposure of their e-commerce sales channels, a prime example being Tao Kae Noi, Thailand’s leading seaweed snack producer, promoting their Rakuten TARAD.com marketplace through LINE messenger.
Rakuten has over ten years’ experience in m-commerce and the company has used its knowledge and expertise in this area to bring consumers a safe and secure mobile shopping experience. In addition to fast browsing and an extensive range of products and services, consumers are still entitled to collect Rakuten TARAD Super Points while shopping on their mobile device.
When shopping at Rakuten TARAD.com customers have a range of payment options, with mobile shoppers able to make secure payments through mPay. Additional payment methods include electronic payments by credit and debit cards, payments via their bank, or in-person payments at over 7,000 Counter Service pay points nationwide.
Mobile shoppers at Rakuten TARAD.com exhibit different habits from those using a PC, with the peak access time between 6pm and 8pm. Consumers browsing the site on their desktop tend to visit the marketplace later in the evening. Additionally, while sales on both platforms remain similar between Monday and Friday, more purchases are made via the mobile site during the weekend when compared to PC users.
About Rakuten
Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ: 4755), is one of the world’s leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of consumer- and business-focused services including e-commerce, eBooks & eReading, travel, banking, securities, credit card, insurance, e-money, portal and media, online marketing, logistics and professional sports. Selected by Forbes as 7th among the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2012, Rakuten is expanding globally and currently has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 10,000 employees and partner staff worldwide. For more information, visit
http://global.rakuten.com/corp/