AsiaNet  86600

SINGAPORE, Nov. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

-Reaching a new generation of digital-savvy consumers in one of the world's

largest economies

Together with Sift & Pick, an online marketplace, full-service new media

company Clozette announced today a new partnership designed to offer

Japan-based merchants a one-stop e-commerce solution facilitating entry into

the Southeast Asian market.

Based on a report by Google and Temasek Holdings, the SEA internet economy

could surpass the US$200 billion mark in size by 2025. Global events such as

the COVID-19 pandemic have made e-commerce more relevant than ever in the lives

of consumers, accelerating the rise of social commerce.

A regional survey conducted by independent marketing research specialist

Econsultancy observed changes in online shopping behaviours in June 2019:

-29% of respondents spent more than US$100 monthly on online purchases

-Almost 59% say over 25% of online purchases made were influenced by social

media

-44% of social shoppers say they have made three or more online purchases in

the past month as a result of seeing social media posts or ads

-82% shared their purchases over social media, creating strong word-of-mouth

endorsements.

A first-of-its-kind collaboration in SEA, the collaboration between Sift & Pick

and Clozette leverages Shoppin'guu, a discovery shopping platform operated by

Cool/JP, a business unit formed with an investment into Clozette by Cool Japan

Fund – a public-private fund under the Ministry of Economics, Trade and

Industry of Japan. A digital platform that specialises in all things Japan,

Cool/JP brings together the best of editorial authority with the scale and

authenticity of curated user-generated content, leveraging Clozette's network

of over 4,000 creators, influencers and talents that boast a collective social

reach exceeding 800 million followers.

The alliance marries Clozette's deep-rooted knowledge of content consumption

behaviour amongst millennial & Generation Z consumers with the expertise of

Sift & Pick in e-commerce innovation, logistics and payment infrastructures

that offers users a seamless, secure omnichannel shopping experience through

their curated global e-commerce marketplace, and physical retail store at

Changi Airport in Singapore.

"Our special partnership with Sift & Pick allows us to offer merchants in Japan

exciting market entry opportunities in SEA that were previously not possible.

COVID-19 heightened global demand for increased digital touchpoints through

social engagement solutions such as influencer marketing, snackable videos and

livestream selling, and as a pioneer in the social commerce space, we are

uniquely placed to address the needs of today's consumers given our proven

proficiency in social storytelling, our extensive network and rich insights

into the Southeast Asian market, having worked with over 300 global,

international, and local brands over the past decade," said Roger Yuen, Founder

& Chief Executive Officer, Clozette.

"We are delighted to partner with Clozette to bring more Japanese brands into

Southeast Asia. Adding to our carefully curated selection of fashion, beauty,

lifestyle and home and living products will provide our diverse customer base

with a richer shopping experience. Shoppin'guu's blend of storytelling is very

well-suited to drawing out the heritage, high quality and uniqueness of many

Japanese brands that are often neglected, and we look forward to seeing how our

collaboration will further delight shoppers with new brand discoveries on our

marketplace," added Cavin Poh, General Manager, Sift & Pick.

A survey conducted by Shoppin'guu in October 2020 across Singapore, Malaysia,

the Philippines, and Indonesia on consumer shopping intent in the new normal

towards merchants in Japan provided valuable insights, including but not

limited to the following (link to full report at the end):

-Over 63% of respondents indicated they have been spending more online on

non-essential items, compared with pre-COVID spending.

-Quality is the top association and motivation for a consumer's purchase

decision on Japanese products. However, 69% of the respondents have never

purchased online directly from Japan due to concerns about the return and

refund policies, or language barriers.

-On factors that influence online purchase decisions, user experience (i.e.,

website design, responsiveness, ease of search for products) is more valued

than delivery lead time.

-Japanese skincare products are most desirable amongst respondents with fashion

coming in second. This is followed by lifestyle goods such as tableware and

homeware.

The two companies will work closely on category development, supply chain and

fulfilment, data and influencer marketing, and social commerce. Under this

partnership, sellers and brands in Japan, including Small-Medium Enterprises

(SMEs), stand to gain from the collective resources and expertise of the

alliance to face challenges specific to online retail in SEA, beginning with a

series of webinars on SEA market entry strategy. They will also benefit from an

easy, affordable means of entering the region through a selection of onboarding

packages starting from JPY300,000.

To find out more about SEA market entry onboarding packages, contact

kaz.iwasa@clozette.co.

To register for the SEA market entry strategy webinars: www.cooljp.co/webinar

To view the full survey report, please go to: www.cooljp.co/survey

About Clozette

Clozette is a full-service new media company focused on trends and contemporary

culture for the new consumer that specialises in a novel category of

storytelling that marries the best of editorial authority with the added

authenticity and scale of curated user-generated content across platforms. The

company has enabled over 300 brands and partners across Southeast Asia and

Japan, powered by a wide variety of digital assets and an inclusive network of

more than 4,000 creators, influencers and talents boasting a collective total

of 800+ million followers online.

Clozette owns and operates CoolJP, a business unit and ecosystem that bridges

opportunities between Japan and Southeast Asia. The company is venture-backed

by Walden International, Phillip Private Equity and the Cool Japan Fund, a

public-private fund under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

www.clozette.co - www.shoppinguu.co

About Sift & Pick

Sift & Pick is an online marketplace started in 2018 centred around letting

shoppers discover brands and products that are original and of uncompromising

quality. Built by shoppers for shoppers, every product is lovingly handpicked

by working directly with brand owners and designers, allowing Sift & Pick to

bring authentic, under-the-radar designer goods closer to individuals. Sift &

Pick now partners with more than 200 global brands to carry over 2,000 fashion,

beauty and lifestyle products. For more information, visit:

https://www.siftandpick.com/about-us.

SOURCE: Clozette