In a decision that might threaten the existence of local e-commerce companies (Lazada, Honestbee, RedMart, etc), the grandaddy of online retailers Amazon is planning to enter the Southeast Asian market through Singapore.
After pushing more efforts and resources into Amazon India and Amazon China, the retail giant is turning its gaze towards Southeast Asia, and is quietly acquiring assets as well as hiring people ahead of their planned launch. According to sources speaking to TechCrunch, the plan right now is to start slowly by commencing selected service in Singapore within the first quarter of 2017.
If true, the roster of current e-commerce sites might have to compete with Amazon’s popular Prime delivery service and the AmazonFresh grocery service. Amazon even tried to acquire RedMart earlier this year apparently, but that didn’t happen (the bid was too low). Alibaba also entered the Singaporean arena by investing in Lazada and SingPost — and it looks like Amazon wants in on the pie too.
Sources have also noted to TechCrunch that Amazon’s priority right now is expanding to Singapore; they’re going all in. Makes sense for them to establish Singapore as their entry point to the rest of the region too — the city-state’s small size makes it easier to operate in.
Many here have been dying to get the Amazon Prime Membership anyway. Free shipping, access to their video and music streaming service, and unlimited e-books — Amazon’s service just sounds hella better than what’s currently available in Singapore right now.
