Core Insights - The report outlines practical guidelines for Malaysian e-commerce businesses looking to expand into Southeast Asia by 2025, highlighting the region's growing digital economy and the advantages of geographical proximity and cultural similarities [1] Group 1: Logistics and Supply Chain - Three supply chain models are available for businesses expanding from Malaysia to Southeast Asia: 1. "Production + Manufacturing + Warehousing and Distribution" model, which covers the entire chain but has the highest risk and cost, suitable for established brands [2] 2. "Bulk Shipping + Warehousing and Distribution" model, which reduces delivery time but carries inventory fluctuation risks [2] 3. "Direct to Consumer" model, where products are shipped directly from Malaysia to consumers, minimizing initial investment risks [2] - Commercial logistics is preferred for most businesses due to its cost-effectiveness, providing better reliability than postal services while being cheaper than express delivery [2] Group 2: Consumer Insights - A survey of 1,200 consumers across six Southeast Asian countries revealed high acceptance of regional brands, with 68% of Filipino consumers considering Thai brands and 64% of Vietnamese consumers willing to try Thai products [3] - The top three categories for cross-border shopping are fashion accessories (68%), food and beverages (47%), and health and beauty (46%) [3] - Preferences vary by country, with Malaysian consumers favoring Korean and Japanese styles, while Singaporeans prefer mainstream brands [3] Group 3: Marketing and Outreach - 82% of Southeast Asian consumers purchase cross-border products through platforms like TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Shopee, prompting businesses to diversify their channels due to rising platform fees [4] - Social media and brand websites are crucial, with 51% of consumers shopping via social media and 39% directly from brand websites [4] - Localized marketing strategies are essential, as different countries have distinct social media usage patterns and promotional events [4] Group 4: Operational Details - Understanding varying "low-value tariff exemption thresholds" is critical for cost optimization, with Singapore at 400 SGD, Malaysia at 500 MYR, Indonesia at 3 USD, and Vietnam at 1 million VND [5] - Delivery times from Malaysia to major Southeast Asian capitals typically range from 3 to 8 working days, with specific times for Thailand (3-5 days) and the Philippines (4-8 days) [5] - Payment preferences differ significantly, with only 1% of Singaporean consumers using cash on delivery (COD), while 75% of Vietnamese and 70% of Indonesian consumers prefer COD [5] Group 5: Conclusion - The expansion from Malaysia to Southeast Asia leverages regional synergies to tap into new consumer markets, emphasizing the importance of localization and flexibility in logistics and operations [6] - As digital infrastructure improves, the barriers for cross-border e-commerce in Southeast Asia are lowering, presenting growth opportunities for Malaysian businesses by 2025 [6]