Emerging trends and predictions of Myanmar online shopping

As the digital revolution continues to sweep the globe, Myanmar is experiencing a significant transformation in its e-commerce sector. With increasing internet penetration and a rising tech-savvy population, there is great potential in the online shopping industry. According to ecommerceDB, the Myanmar e-commerce market currently contributes to a worldwide growth rate of 9.6% in 2023, and it’s expected to show a compound annual growth rate of 13.2% from 2023 to 2027.

And while the e-commerce market size is expected to rise in the future, it also means that businesses in Myanmar will also have an increase in competition. This is why it is important for businesses to keep up with trends in the industry if they want to stay ahead of their competitors.

Top 5 current digital commerce trends shaping Myanmar

When planning to sell or market a product online, knowing what digital marketing is or how to make an e-commerce website for free is not enough. Keeping up with Myanmar's current e-commerce and digital marketing trends is critical to stay ahead of competitors. Here are the top digital commerce trends to watch out for:

1. Mobile commerce

It was reported by Datareportal that Myanmar has an internet penetration rate of 44%, with over 23.93 million Internet users at the start of 2023. In the same research, it showed that the most preferred device for accessing the Internet is mobile phones, making up 67.52% of the web traffic. Research also states that 19.7% of e-commerce purchases were from mobile phones. Therefore, business owners in Myanmar can see that there is a great opportunity when marketing or selling your products to mobile phone users.

2. Facebook marketing

Social media has become more than just a platform for communication; it's now become an integral digital marketing tool. With around 15 million social media users in Myanmar in 2023, businesses can use social media to reach a broader audience.

As reported by to Datareportal, the country's most popular social media platform is Facebook, with around 14.50 million users. In fact, Facebook is one of the main platforms people use to sell their products, as it takes up 85% of the traffic as per a statistic study conducted by statcounter. Whether through live selling or posting products on Facebook pages to reach out to buyers, businesses enjoy the ease of marketing their products and interacting with their buyers through the Facebook Marketplace.

3. Online marketplaces

Online marketplaces provide businesses access to a vast and diverse audience. These platforms have millions of active users, which allows businesses to reach customers they might not have been able to target through their standalone websites or physical stores.

Furthermore, setting up a store on an online marketplace is often quicker and more cost-effective than developing a standalone e-commerce website or application. This low entry barrier enables small and medium-sized businesses to compete with larger players.

Two online marketplaces are popular in Myanmar, namely mmShop and rgo47. mmShop is one of Myanmar's biggest online shopping platforms, owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited. Many businesses use the app to sell various consumer goods, including electronics, beauty, fashion, groceries and more. On the other hand, rg047 focuses on fashion, making it one of the top e-fashion markets in the country. This platform allows businesses to sell clothes, shoes, bags, cosmetics, and other fashion items.

The advantage of selling in established online marketplaces is that they already have significant traffic and user engagement. Therefore, businesses can benefit from the marketplace's marketing efforts and brand recognition. This saves entrepreneurs the effort and cost of acquiring customers from scratch.

4. Cash on delivery

Despite the advancement of digital payment systems, cash on delivery remains prevalent in Myanmar. Many consumers still prefer the security and trust associated with paying upon delivery. At the same time, consumers would prefer to avoid the taxes involved in using digital payments. With this, many businesses also adopt cash on deliveries as their payment method to ensure the satisfaction and trust of Myanmar consumers.

5. Delivery innovation

To overcome the logistics challenges of e-commerce, Myanmar businesses and entrepreneurs embrace delivery innovations through partnerships with trusted couriers like DHL Express. With experienced shipping companies, e-commerce businesses can significantly enhance the efficiency of e-commerce deliveries. Reliable shipping companies typically integrate technology solutions in their delivery processes to enhance efficiency and customer experience. This includes providing businesses with an advanced delivery management platform to track packages in real-time and provide customers with delivery updates.

Predictions: The future of Myanmar's e-commerce sector

As the online shopping industry in Myanmar progresses, several new trends are likely to also develop in e-commerce. Here are some of our predictions:

1. Digital payment adoption

While cash on delivery is widely preferred in Myanmar, it presents an opportunity for businesses to gradually educate consumers about the benefits of digital payment methods. With this, e-commerce businesses can use marketing campaigns or incentives to promote digital payment use further.

When consumers see the benefits of choosing digital payment, mobile wallets, payment gateways, and other digital payment platforms will become more prevalent. With this, e-commerce businesses that prioritise integrating multiple digital payment options and ensure robust cybersecurity measures will be better positioned to attract a broader customer base.

2. Personalised shopping experience

Data-driven marketing and analytics powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will enable businesses to understand consumer behaviour and preferences better. Offering personalised shopping experiences will enhance customer satisfaction and foster brand loyalty.

As businesses in Myanmar collect and analyse more customer data, they will have a deeper understanding of individual preferences, purchase history, and behaviour patterns. This data will be used for demand forecasting and offering personalised product recommendations, customised promotions, and tailored online shopping experiences.

3. Expansion of cross-border e-commerce

As the e-commerce market in Myanmar matures, businesses will increasingly explore cross-border opportunities. Entering international markets will open up new revenue streams and broaden customer bases.

As the popularity of Myanmar's products and services grows on a global scale, many e-commerce businesses will seek to expand beyond the domestic market. Cross-border e-commerce partnerships and collaborations will become more common, enabling businesses to reach international consumers and tap into new market segments.

4. Sustainability focus

Growing environmental consciousness among consumers will drive e-commerce businesses to prioritise sustainable practices. By integrating sustainability into their business strategies and operations, e-commerce businesses in Myanmar can effectively differentiate themselves from competitors.

One practice e-commerce businesses can use is recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable materials for product packaging. By reducing single-use plastics and opting for sustainable packaging alternatives, businesses can minimise their environmental impact and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Beyond being a mere trend, sustainability has become a business imperative that aligns with consumers' values and expectations. Therefore, businesses must embrace responsible practices and actively communicate their commitment to environmental responsibility.

Increased role of AI and AR

Alongside AI, augmented reality (AR) technologies will enhance the overall e-commerce shopping experience. Virtual try-on solutions will enable customers to visualise products more accurately before making a purchase, reducing the likelihood of returns. Furthermore, AI-powered chatbots will provide instant and personalised customer support, improving customer satisfaction and response times. E-commerce businesses that embrace these emerging technologies will stand out in the market and attract tech-savvy consumers.

How emerging trends affect e-commerce businesses in Myanmar

New and emerging trends have a profound impact on e-commerce businesses in Myanmar. They can create new market opportunities for businesses to capitalise on and influence customer expectations and preferences. By adapting to trends and customer feedback, you can strengthen customer loyalty and stay ahead in your respective industry.

However, businesses must conduct comprehensive market research and analysis before integrating any trend into a business model. It provides the necessary foundation for creating a well-informed business plan, identifying market opportunities, and mitigating risks. Overall, it helps make strategic decisions on what type of trend to integrate and how to use it to their advantage, ultimately promoting business growth. For more insight into the factors that influence Myanmar’s e-commerce industry, learn how the country’s culture of gift-giving impacts e-commerce.

How DHL Express can help e-commerce businesses in Myanmar

As Myanmar's e-commerce landscape evolves, DHL Express Myanmar stands ready to support businesses in navigating these changes. With our extensive experience in logistics and shipping, we provide reliable solutions for e-commerce businesses to ensure efficient deliveries. Open a business account today to partner with us for your shipping needs.

If you want to know how you can get started with overseas shipping for your e-commerce, check out our guide on successfully shipping to the United States or how to ship Myanmar tea internationally.

ENJOY SPECIAL CORPORATE SHIPPING RATE WITH US TODAY!