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The Secret to Using Video for Maximum Impact and Brand Growth

Filed Under: Addicted2Success, SUCCESS

The Power of Video in Engagement and Personal Branding

How does one master the ability to captivate an audience? This capability can mean the difference between success and obscurity, but knowing how to achieve it is the biggest challenge.

Fortunately, there is one tool that can help you accomplish this goal—video. With its dynamic combination of imagery, sound, and storytelling, video stands out as one of the most powerful tools available, especially for personal branding and engagement.

Those who use video effectively can share stories and inspire connections with others. Whether you are a leader, an entrepreneur, or someone focused on personal development, mastering the power of video can elevate your communication and outreach.

So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading to explore how and why video has the power to inspire and engage an entire audience.

The Impact of Video in Modern Communication

Why is video so important in modern communication? Video content represents a shift in how messages are delivered and consumed. Studies show that videos are processed by the brain 60,000 times faster than text.

Given its effectiveness, modern professionals are integrating video into their communication strategies to enhance reliability and trust. But what makes a video truly impactful?

  • Emotional Connection: A compelling video can inspire viewers to take action, whether pursuing their passions or supporting a cause.
  • Engagement: People engage more with content that resonates personally.
  • Authenticity: Being real and vulnerable strengthens bonds and encourages audience participation.

Some creators enhance storytelling by repurposing existing content, such as converting YouTube to MP4 to integrate into their projects. Others focus on unique storytelling techniques tailored to their audience.

Understanding Your Target Audience

While brainstorming content ideas, storyboarding, and scripting is exciting, knowing your audience is essential before starting. If you don’t know your audience, how can you create content that they will enjoy?

Key Steps to Identify Your Audience:

  1. Define Your Target Viewers – Who do you want to reach? What resonates with them?
  2. Conduct Audience Research – Gain insights into their interests, needs, and challenges.
  3. Analyze Demographics – Consider age, gender, and preferences to tailor your content effectively.
  4. Choose the Right Platform – Different social media platforms have unique cultures and behaviors. Optimize your video for the platform where your audience is most active.

By aligning your content with audience preferences, you increase the chances of engagement and success.

Techniques for Creating Engaging Video Content

Once you understand your audience, structure your content around your video’s goal. Outline the key points you want to convey and the emotions you want to evoke.

Essential Video Techniques:

  • Hook Viewers Instantly – Capture attention within the first few seconds.
  • Use Dynamic Visuals – Backgrounds, color schemes, and movement keep viewers engaged.
  • Prioritize High-Quality Sound – Poor audio can drive viewers away, even if the visuals are stunning.
  • Optimize for Short Attention Spans – Keep content concise and to the point.

Building a Community Through Video

Creating engaging content is just one aspect of effective video strategy. Building an engaged community ensures long-term success.

Ways to Foster Community Engagement:

  • Interact with Viewers – Respond to comments and engage with your audience.
  • Host Live Sessions – Q&A sessions and discussions encourage real-time interactions.
  • Encourage User Participation – Ask for opinions, feedback, or user-generated content.

When audiences feel connected, they are more likely to become loyal followers and supporters of your brand.

Measuring Video Success

Tracking the success of your videos is essential for refining your strategy. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) help evaluate video effectiveness:

  • Views & Watch Time – How many people watched and for how long?
  • Likes, Shares, & Comments – Engagement levels indicate audience interest.
  • Click-Through Rates (CTR) – Are viewers taking the desired action?

If engagement metrics are low, adjust your approach based on audience feedback and performance data.

The Importance of Authenticity and Vulnerability

Authenticity is a crucial element of engaging video content. Viewers can sense when content is genuine, making them more likely to connect with the creator.

Why Authenticity Matters:

  • Builds Trust – Audiences appreciate honesty and transparency.
  • Fosters Relatability – Sharing struggles and successes makes content more engaging.
  • Encourages Community Growth – When creators open up, audiences feel more inclined to participate and share their own stories.

In a digital landscape filled with polished perfection, showing your true self can set you apart and create a lasting impact.

Conclusion

Video is an incredibly powerful tool for captivating an audience, building connections, and growing your brand. Whether through emotional storytelling, strategic audience engagement, or authenticity, mastering video content can lead to long-term success.

By understanding your audience, implementing engaging techniques, and fostering a community, you can harness the power of video to inspire and engage on a deeper level. Start creating, and watch your influence grow!

The post The Secret to Using Video for Maximum Impact and Brand Growth appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

The Secret to Changing Your Relationship with Food

Filed Under: SUCCESS, Tiny Buddha

Anyone who knows me well knows that I battled with food and my body for years.

I struggled with bulimia for over a decade, starting when I was twelve. My eating disorder was in many ways a coping mechanism in response to trauma, but early programming around food didn’t help.

I ate to soothe myself. I ate to stuff down my feelings. And as a bulimic, I ate to feel the control I felt when I was able to reverse the process of consumption.

Though I technically recovered in my early twenties, I spent many years after that sticking to only “good” foods—which, ironically, included foods that were highly processed and/or loaded with sugar because “good,” to me, meant low- or no-fat.

I found it hard to enjoy food until my mid-thirties because my diet was so restrictive and my fear around eating “bad” foods was so intense.

Now that I have a much healthier relationship with eating—and I see how profoundly this has affected my self-esteem and quality of life—I have a deep appreciation for those who help people find peace with food and their bodies.

That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce you to Jules Clancy’s work today (if you’re not already familiar).

She was one of the site’s earliest contributors close to fourteen years ago now, which makes it extra exciting to have her as a site sponsor this month.

She’s also a former food scientist turned health coach who has struggled with binge eating herself—so she not only understands what our bodies need to thrive; she gets the emotional struggle that compels so many of us to overeat.

If you’ve struggled with bingeing and restricting—and gaining and losing weight—I have a feeling you’ll appreciate her free webinar, The Secret to Changing Your Relationship with Food.

Or in full: The Secret to Changing Your Relationship with Food so you feel peace around food and weight and your clothes fit again for the long term (even if your self-belief is low after trying and failing so many times).

It’s short—just under a half-hour—but it’s also highly actionable. Though Jules also offers a paid program, the webinar itself could be the perfect jumpstart to healthier, more enjoyable eating.

I was pleased to recognize that I already do a lot of what she recommends (and, in fact, I credit this approach to eating with saving my sanity and quite possibly my life). But I noticed some areas for improvement and appreciated the opportunity to reflect on the changes I might want to make to bring even more intention and pleasure to my diet.

If you love food but don’t love your current habits or your body, I highly recommend you sign up for this free training.

Jules’ authenticity, relatability, and expertise make her the perfect guide for anyone who wants to boost their health and feel good in their skin without sacrificing the pleasure of eating.

If you’d like to get instant access to the free training, you can sign up here.

I hope it’s helpful to you!

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About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.

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‘DOGE Dividends’: Will You Actually Get a $5,000 Check From Trump?

Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

The Trump administration is considering sending out direct payments to millions of Americans next year.

If implemented, checks of up to $5,000 per household — dubbed “DOGE dividend” payments — would go out after the non-governmental Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by multibillionaire Elon Musk wraps up its work in July 2026.

President Donald Trump recently told reporters aboard Air Force One that he “loves” the idea of the dividend checks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House’s National Economic Council, have also signaled their support, although no official policy or legislative proposals have been released.

Tasked with eliminating wasteful spending by the federal government, DOGE set a goal of uncovering $2 trillion worth of spending cuts by July 2026, when the agency is set to dissolve. For reference, the U.S. annual spending budget is roughly $6.7 trillion. Two-thirds of that is congressionally mandated spending, largely on federal programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Assuming DOGE meets its goal, 20% of the savings, or $400 billion, would be earmarked for DOGE refunds. The payments would need to be authorized by Congress.

The idea was developed by James Fishback, a DOGE supporter with connections to the Trump administration who posted a viral four-page proposal on Musk’s social media platform, X. It gained the attention of Musk, who then pitched it to Trump.

Here’s what to know about the potential of stimulus-style tax refund checks from DOGE.

Are ‘DOGE dividend’ checks likely?

While the proposal skyrocketed in popularity on the social media site X and appears to have won the approval of the president and his economic advisors, many experts are doubtful the checks will come to fruition as proposed.

The first hurdle is economic. The $5,000 check is based on the premise that DOGE reaches its goal of eliminating $2 trillion in wasteful federal spending. Musk himself has already cast doubt on that. In an interview in January, Musk said $2 trillion was the “best case outcome.”

“You have to have some overage,” he added. “If you try for $2 trillion, you have a good chance at getting $1 [trillion].”

The DOGE website says the cost-cutting initiative saved an estimated $55 billion during the first month of Trump’s presidency. To stay on track to meet its target, however, DOGE would need to be saving over $110 billion per month.

“The size of the checks is out of proportion with the size of cuts,” says Ernie Tedeschi, the economics director of the Budget Lab at Yale University.

The second hurdle is political. As with stimulus checks, direct payments to Americans would need to be authorized by Congress.

Already, the proposal is facing opposition from some Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would prefer the money go toward U.S. debt payments. Similarly, Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) said Friday that the U.S. is not in a position to be sending checks to Americans.

Ultimately, Tedeschi notes, it’s too early to say whether DOGE checks are likely to happen.

Who would be eligible?

According to Fishback, who is also CEO of investment firm Azoria, the refund payment would go to households that pay federal taxes.

Roughly 70% of U.S. Americans have a federal tax liability, meaning that an estimated 80 to 90 million households could be eligible for a check under this stipulation.

Millions of low-income Americans do not owe federal income taxes due to deductions and tax credits. Therefore, they would not qualify for a check if Fishback’s qualifications are used.

This is a direct reversal from stimulus checks sent out during the pandemic, as they excluded high-income earners.

Would the checks spur inflation?

Many politicians and economists point to pandemic-era stimulus checks as a major contributor to the recent bout of inflation in the U.S.

The three rounds of stimulus checks, which were dispersed mostly over a three-year period, totaled approximately $815 billion.

Now, with policymakers still struggling to get inflation in check, many economic experts are wondering what injecting $400 billion all at once in the form of $5,000 checks might do to consumer prices.

When asked whether DOGE checks could be inflationary, Hassett of Trump’s National Economic Council recently said, “absolutely not,” stating that the DOGE checks would be coming from money that was already set to be spent by the government. Similarly, Treasury Secretary Bessent claimed that “everything that President Trump’s administration is doing will be disinflationary.”

Economists outside the Trump administration aren’t so convinced. Nonpartisan policymakers at the Federal Reserve — the U.S. central banking system that controls interest rates — are already concerned that fresh tariffs from the Trump administration could reignite inflation, according to minutes of the latest Fed meeting (at which they held rates steady).

With tariffs and threats of tariffs already impacting U.S. supply chains, an infusion of $5,000 checks to millions of households may pour gasoline on the fire by spurring consumer demand — or in other words, incentivizing people to go buy stuff at the same time businesses are struggling to get items onto shelves.

As we saw during the pandemic, supply-chain issues plus increased consumer demand are a recipe for inflation.

Certain goods could be at particular risk of price hikes. According to Tedeschi, “consumers are more likely to spend lump-sum checks on large durable goods,” which are major purchases like cars or appliances. These types of goods are among the many items expected to become more expensive due to tariffs and resulting supply-chain issues. Increased demand for those goods would exacerbate the issue.

Another way the dividend checks could spur inflation, Tedeschi says, is if DOGE doesn’t meet its spending-cut goal. For example, if the department decided to send out the full $5,000 but missed the $2 trillion mark, that could cause prices on everyday goods to rise, too.

“This might happen,” Tedeschi says, “if the administration exaggerates how effective DOGE has been.”

More from Money:

The Everyperson’s Guide to Managing Money in Trump’s America

As ‘Layoff Anxiety’ Rises, Here’s How to Safeguard Your Finances

No Fed Rate Cuts in 2025? Experts Say It Could Happe

Kuala Lumpur’s Business Power Players and Rising Stars

Filed Under: Luxury Lifestyle

Kuala Lumpur’s business and luxury landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by a dynamic blend of emerging entrepreneurs and established industry giants. From pioneering ventures in finance and fashion to innovative startups in beauty and gastronomy, these Kuala Lumpur-based companies are not only reshaping the city’s economy — they are positioning it at the forefront of regional markets. These power players and rising stars are setting new standards, disrupting industries, and spearheading trends that ripple far beyond Malaysia’s borders. Be it building homegrown empires or game-changers that are challenging the status quo with fresh, ground-up initiatives, their influence is unmistakable.

As Kuala Lumpur’s business ecosystem evolves, a surge of innovation is emerging across key sectors — finance, food, fashion, and beauty. With both established financial institutions and bold new startups, these companies are reshaping the city’s economic landscape and reinforcing Malaysia’s growing global prominence.

Beauty/Wellness

Dr Nazri Mocktar’s Wellness Ventures

According to projections, the global wellness industry is estimated to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2025 while the global skincare market is expected to grow by USD 189.3 billion, driven by increasing consumer demand for innovative and effective skincare solutions. A pioneer in this space is Dr Nazri Mokhtar — a notable figure in Malaysia’s luxury beauty and wellness industry, particularly in the field of functional medicine. His role as the chief medical doctor at Bangsar’s Nara Clinic has shaped the local wellness industry and made Nara Clinic a high-end destination for socialites and discerning clients seeking advanced, holistic treatments. As a pioneer in oxygen bath therapy and homeopathic wellness, Dr Nazri takes a functional medicine approach, focusing on treating root causes rather than just symptoms. His expertise extends to autoimmune diseases, making him a sought-after practitioner for those looking for long-term, integrative health solutions. His clientele includes high-profile figures who trust him for both medical and aesthetic treatments.

In the broader luxury men’s wellness space, Apollo Men’s Wellness in Starhill Gallery is defining a new era of high-end self-care for men. These establishments cater to an elite clientele with bespoke treatments that go beyond traditional grooming, offering specialised wellness solutions tailored for modern, high-performing men. This sector is experiencing a boom in Malaysia, particularly in KL’s affluent circles, as more individuals seek personalised, science-backed treatments that blend luxury with longevity. Figures like Dr Nazri Mokhtar are leading this evolution, positioning Malaysia as a growing hub for functional and aesthetic wellness. The demand for luxury wellness treatments in KL is mirrored globally, with markets such as the US and Europe also witnessing a surge in functional wellness. Malaysia — with its strategic geographical location and relatively untapped wellness potential — is now being recognised as a hub for the wellness tourism sector, attracting high-net-worth individuals from around the world.

Read More: 8 Malaysian Beauty Brands Creating Local and Global Buzz

Lee Tim Koh’s Paloma Skincare

Southeast Asia is rich in traditional ingredients and medicinal practices, offering a wealth of revitalising and soothing elements that are often overlooked by the dominant Western and East Asian beauty brands currently controlling the market. While the adoption of Asian and South Asian wellness practices by Western beauty brands has been ongoing for some time, the limited coverage has left room for local brands to reclaim Asia as the birthplace of holistic wellness. Enter Paloma Skincare. Southeast Asia’s skincare market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9 percent, and Paloma’s positioning of itself as a local luxury skincare brand is a response to this surge in demand.

Paloma Skincare is a Malaysian skincare brand co-founded by model, influencer and entrepreneur Koh Li Tim — aiming to showcase Southeast Asia’s rich biodiversity through nature-focused products. The brand emphasises the use of local superfoods and adaptogens — such as herbs and fruits native to the region — to create effective skincare solutions. Their flagship product — the “24/7 Repair Serum” — combines ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and fermented rice extract to rejuvenate dull skin.

Koh Li Tim is also a director at Environment Design Consultants (EDC International), a firm renowned for designing luxury hotel interiors — including the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City, Avani by Anantara in Bangkok, and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas in Johor. His father, Vincent Koh, established and leads EDC International, instilling a design philosophy that balances aesthetics with a comprehensive design experience. Drawing from his background in automotive design and his family’s design legacy, Koh Li Tim brings a unique perspective to both his architectural projects and Paloma Skincare. His personal experiences with traditional Chinese medicine — influenced by his grandmother’s herbal remedies — inspire Paloma’s mission to integrate Southeast Asian superfoods into modern skincare. Through Paloma Skincare, Koh Li Tim aims to elevate regional ingredients and traditional practices to the global stage, offering products that are both culturally rich and scientifically formulated.​

Travel/Hospitality

YTL Hotels

The Malaysian luxury hospitality market is experiencing rapid growth, with projections showing a 5.2 percent annual increase in luxury travel spend globally, reinforcing YTL’s strategic positioning. YTL Hotels, part of the YTL Corporation, has been a defining force in Malaysia’s luxury hospitality sector, setting the benchmark for refined hospitality with properties such as The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Pangkor Laut Resort. Unlike international franchises, YTL has successfully cultivated a distinctly Malaysian luxury experience while expanding globally. Its portfolio includes exclusive resorts in the UK, Japan, and France, proving that Malaysian hospitality can compete at the highest levels of the luxury market. With ongoing expansions and a commitment to sustainable tourism, YTL Hotels remains a dominant player in high-end travel.

The RuMa Hotel and Residences

The RuMa Hotel — part of the Zubair Group’s portfolio — is taking Kuala Lumpur’s luxury tourism to new heights. Since its inception, the RuMa Hotel has attracted the attention of both local and international investors, thanks to its unique offering that blends local luxury with modern sophistication. As part of the Zubair Group’s luxury portfolio, The RuMa represents a strategic move to capture the high-end segment of the city’s fast-growing tourism and business sectors. From a business perspective, the success of The RuMa can be attributed to its ability to cater to multiple market segments with finesse. The property not only serves as a luxury hotel for short-term guests but also integrates residential offerings with its premium serviced residences. This dual approach allows the brand to target both transient visitors and long-term residents, making it a versatile addition to Kuala Lumpur’s competitive luxury real estate market. By offering this combination of hotel services and long-term accommodation, The RuMa diversifies its revenue streams, ensuring a sustainable business model that appeals to a wider audience.

The hotel has strategically positioned itself as more than just a place to stay — it has become an exclusive lifestyle brand. Its high-end dining concepts — including the celebrated ATAS restaurant — are central to its identity, attracting the luxury-focused clientele that KL’s business district thrives on. The focus on sophisticated culinary experiences and curated events not only enhances the hotel’s profile but also contributes significantly to its revenue generation. For The RuMa, food and beverage offerings are not just a service; they are part of the hotel’s branding strategy to attract top-tier clientele, including business moguls, high-net-worth individuals, and diplomats, who seek more than just a hotel room — they want an experience. As global business and tourism in Kuala Lumpur continue to grow, properties like The RuMa are positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive international market, helping position Malaysia as a desirable destination for high-net-worth individuals from around the globe. This expansion contributes not only to Malaysia’s global brand equity but also to the growth of the tourism sector, which contributed approximately MYR 80 billion (USD 18.9 billion) to Malaysia’s GDP in 2022, according to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

TRX City Sdn Bhd

The Exchange TRX is more than just a luxury retail and lifestyle destination — it is a strategic pillar in Kuala Lumpur’s evolution into a global financial hub. As part of the larger Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) development, which aims to position Malaysia as a premier financial centre, The Exchange TRX brings together high-end retail, fine dining, and experiential luxury in a way that redefines the city’s commercial landscape. The development’s strategic location and world-class amenities help it align KL with other major retail destinations like Singapore’s Orchard Road and Tokyo’s Ginza district. TRX is also contributing to Malaysia’s economic growth by attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2023, the Malaysian retail sector saw an increase in FDI, largely driven by the strategic positioning of developments like TRX. The complex’s impact on local employment and its contribution to the national GDP reinforces the role of luxury retail in Malaysia’s economic strategy.

With over 400 international brands, including first-to-market luxury labels and flagship stores, The Exchange TRX sets a new benchmark for retail in Malaysia, aligning Kuala Lumpur with major global shopping destinations. The integration of the 10-acre TRX City Park into the development further elevates its appeal, merging urban sophistication with nature to offer a dynamic environment for high-net-worth individuals, corporate executives, and international visitors. The Exchange TRX is a case study in how luxury retail developments can serve as economic catalysts. Its presence strengthens Malaysia’s position as a prime destination for global investors, attracting major luxury brands that are keen to capitalise on the spending power of both local elites and international visitors. This, in turn, fuels job creation and economic activity across the retail, hospitality, and service sectors.

Fashion

Alia Bastamam

Alia Bastamam stands as a defining figure in Malaysia’s luxury fashion scene, making her an essential inclusion amongst KL’s power players. Since launching her eponymous brand in 2010, she has successfully navigated the industry with a focus on made-to-measure designs, evolving into a powerhouse of luxury ready-to-wear, particularly in resort-centric fashion. Her ability to merge femininity, strength, and sensuality in her designs has cemented her reputation among Malaysia’s elite, with her pieces becoming synonymous with merging local traditional silhouettes with an ease of modern glamour.

Beyond aesthetics, Alia Bastamam’s brand exemplifies the business acumen required to thrive in Malaysia’s competitive luxury landscape. Winning “Designer of the Year” at KL Fashion Week in 2017 and securing “Decade of Excellence” and “Brand of the Year” at the inaugural KL Fashion Awards in 2021 showcases her brand’s longevity and sustained influence. With the introduction of ALIA B. — a more accessible yet equally refined extension of her brand — she demonstrates a keen awareness of market segmentation, ensuring her influence extends across different luxury consumer tiers.

Her success story reflects Kuala Lumpur’s growing prominence as a hub for high-end fashion, proving that homegrown brands can command regional and international attention. By maintaining a sharp eye on fine quality, staying attuned to evolving fashion trends, and prioritising design longevity, Alia Bastamam continues to shape Malaysia’s luxury landscape. The ASEAN luxury fashion market — worth approximately USD 19.5 billion in 2023 — continues to grow, and Alia Bastamam’s consistent positioning in this space helps cement Malaysia’s status as a rising fashion capital in Southeast Asia. According to a 2023 report from the Fashion and Textile Association of Malaysia (FTAM), the Malaysian fashion industry is expected to grow by 10 percent annually, contributing over MYR 5 billion (USD 1.2 billion) to the national economy by 2025. This growth is driven by both local designers like Bastamam.

Gastronomy

Dewakan

Malaysia’s culinary landscape is also undergoing a shift, with local chefs and restaurateurs redefining global perceptions of Malaysian food. Dewakan — led by Chef Darren Teoh — has been a trailblazer in this movement, earning recognition on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. As Malaysia’s first fine-dining restaurant to focus exclusively on indigenous ingredients, Dewakan is not only attracting global gastronomes but also influencing the international food sector. The global food industry is worth USD 5.6 trillion, and Malaysia’s evolving gastronomic offerings are positioning the country as a competitive player in the high-end dining sector. Dewakan stands out for its commitment to using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, many of which are sourced from Malaysia’s rich biodiversity. This dedication to preserving Malaysia’s culinary heritage while pushing the boundaries of fine dining has earned Dewakan not only accolades from local critics but recognition from global culinary authorities.

In 2023, Dewakan’s inclusion on the prestigious list for the third consecutive year cemented its status as a key player in the global gastronomic scene. The restaurant’s menu — which blends traditional Malaysian flavours with modern techniques — offers a unique dining experience that continues to attract international visitors. As the first fine-dining establishment in Malaysia to focus exclusively on indigenous ingredients, Dewakan is pioneering a movement that celebrates the country’s rich culinary history while elevating Malaysian cuisine to a new level of international acclaim.

The Bao Guys (TBG)

On a more accessible level, The Bao Guys (TBG) has revolutionised Malaysia’s fast food scene, turning the humble bao into a gourmet experience. What started as a bold idea from three law graduates during the COVID-19 Malaysian Movement Control Order (MCO) quickly grew into one of the country’s most talked-about fast food bao chains. With a vision to reshape the global fast food scene, TBG opened its first brick-and-mortar store in SS2 in under six months, a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit driving the brand’s success.

Specialising in premium, grab-and-go bao offerings that cater to a diverse range of tastes, The Bao Guys is more than just fast food — it is a cultural revolution, modernising a traditional food staple and tailoring it for today’s ever-evolving palates. Their menu — a curated fusion of flavours from around the world — aims to make the bao the go-to fast food across Malaysia and, eventually, the world. With plans for expansion into high-traffic locations and key Southeast Asian cities, TBG is on a fast track to global recognition. The brand also intends to break into untapped regions in Malaysia, including Terengganu, Perlis, and Kelantan, where competitors are absent, allowing TBG to introduce its offering to new audiences. The brand’s commitment to expansion is further demonstrated by its efforts to establish a presence in East Malaysia, an area largely untouched by competitors.

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The post Kuala Lumpur’s Business Power Players and Rising Stars appeared first on LUXUO.

Rigorous Resurgence – Malaysian Property Outlook 2025

Filed Under: Luxury Lifestyle

Improved economic conditions, optimistic market mood and government financial schemes have helped to put the prime residential segment on the uptick.

CloutHaus Residences KLCC by TA Global Berhad. Image: TA Global Berhad.

With 61.8 percent of all real estate transactions in the country, Malaysia’s residential subsector continued to hold a dominant position. Compared to 183,525 transactions worth MYR73.14 billion 9M2023 (i.e. in the first 9 months), 192,484 transactions totalling MYR78.17 billion were reported in the first nine months of 2024. This observation indicated a 4.9 percent increase in sales volume and a 6.9 percent increase in sales value year over year (y-o-y).

The Malaysian House Price Index (MHPI) — which increased by just 2.7 percent year over year to 223.1 points in 9M2024 (9M2023: 217.3 points) — shows that house price expansion is moderating. Despite persistent home demand, the index fell 2.4 percent quarterly (3Q2024: 220.2 points vs. 2Q2024: 225.7 points).

As of 3Q2024, the total number of completed residential units offered nationally was 236,899, representing a 4.8 percent year-over-year decrease (3Q2023: 248,952 units). During the study period, property overhang significantly improved, as evidenced by the 11.2 percent decrease in unsold completed properties to 42,126 units in 3Q2024 (3Q2023: 47,463 units).

With the help of focused government measures and steady economic conditions, the residential market is seeing a resurgence, especially in the high-rise sector. Programs for affordable housing and creative construction meet the changing market demands and buyer preferences.

Supply of High-End High Rise Residential

As of 2024(p), 82,679 upscale condominiums and homes were available in specific Kuala Lumpur neighborhoods. Four projects were finished in the second half of 2024, adding 1,167 units to the total stock. By 1H2025, an additional 3,625 units from several ongoing developments will be completed.

CloutHaus Residences KLCC

CloutHaus Residences KLCC by TA Global Berhad is a posh freehold mixed-use complex with two towers on Jalan P. Ramlee next to the famous Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC. Tower 2 has 615 serviced apartments, while Tower 1 has 242 private homes and 548 hotel rooms under the Paradox KLCC brand, Malaysia’s first Paradox Hotel. High-end features like a fitness centre, rooftop lounge, co-working spaces, and an infinity pool are all part of the development.

CloutHaus Residences KLCC

CloutHaus is dedicated to sustainability and plans to obtain GreenRE Provisional Certification by implementing eco-friendly features such as automatic parking, siphonic rainwater systems, and pneumatic waste collection.

Hanaz units KLCC

The 45-storey Hanaz Suites KLCC by Exsim Development Sdn Bhd complex, near Kuala Lumpur’s leading business and entertainment areas, has 270 serviced apartments ranging from 327 to 657 square feet in addition to office units. The amenities include a rooftop party area, meeting rooms, and a pool with a Sakura theme. The development — which Mana Mana Hospitality runs — offers both city dwellers and investors enticing rental return alternatives, such as a guaranteed 6 percent yearly return or a 4 percent annual return with an 80/20 profit-sharing plan.

Pavilion Square

With its prime location on Jalan Raja Chulan, Pavilion Square by Pavilion Group redefines luxury living in Kuala Lumpur and provides convenient access to Bukit Bintang. In addition to office suites, this 67-storey mixed-use complex has 960 studios and three-bedroom suites. The building has more than 70,000 square feet of facilities, such as a 118-meter rooftop infinity pool, a Sky Deck with breathtaking views of the metropolitan skyline, and the highest gym in the city on Level 63A. Residents enjoy easy access to key transportation networks, including the Bukit Bintang MRT station, Monorail, and surrounding highways, and an elevated bridge that connects directly to Pavilion Bukit Bintang, improving convenience and connectivity.

Lofthill Residence

The Armani Group’s Lofthill Residence, with its contemporary style, outstanding convenience, and unhindered views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, redefines urban life. The Raja Uda MRT station is conveniently close by, and Kampung Baru is close to critical medical facilities, including Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Institut Jantung Negara, as well as the serene Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. There are 653 serviced apartments in this 51-storey building, ranging in size from 610 to 1,917 square feet. Lofthill Residence, which sets a new standard for contemporary urban living and targets first-time homebuyers and investors, features first-rate amenities like fitness centres, co-working spaces, and landscaped gardens.

Skyline Embassy

The 1,296 units of Skyline Embassy (previously Agile Embassy Garden) — built by TSLAW Land Sdn Bhd — are situated in the prominent Embassy Row of Ampang Hilir and range in size from 521 square foot apartments to 976 square foot dual-key homes. With amenities including a Sky Terrace, Sky Jacuzzi, and Sky Infinity Pool on the rooftop, the development offers stunning views of the Kuala Lumpur cityscape. It presents a compelling financial opportunity for homeowners and investors, promising substantial rental yields and possible capital growth.

Southpoint Residences, Midvalley City

The last residential development in Mid Valley City, Southpoint Residences by Tan & Tan Developments, provides unmatched connectivity with quick access to major roads, highways, bus routes, and train stations. Thanks to its integration with The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall, it offers easy access to food options, entertainment, and shopping. It is a 59-storey mixed-use Menara Southpoint complex component with 22 levels of serviced apartments and 27 floors of office space. With built-up areas ranging from 1,119 to 6,878 square feet, Southpoint Residences’ 172 units of roomy serviced apartments, designed with a Built-To-Sell concept, are ideal for families and professionals. World-class facilities — such as a fitness centre, pool, and landscaped gardens — are included in the development.

Demand for Luxury Homes in Kuala Lumpur

Due to improved economic conditions, optimistic market mood, and government efforts like the Malaysia Premium Visa scheme (PVIP) and Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) scheme, Kuala Lumpur’s prime residential segment has recovered since the COVID19 pandemic. Depending on the visa level (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), applicants must buy a residential property for between MYR600,000 and MYR2 million under the updated MM2H standards. This condition may deter potential candidates from renting a property, even though it improves the upscale residential market. Sales of stratified high-rise residential buildings, such as apartments, condominiums, and serviced apartments, increased by 12.2 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively, in the first nine months of 2024.

In the first half of 2024, 941 units valued at MYR1.86 billion were transacted in the high-end residential market, including high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur City Centre that cost MYR1 million or more. This is an increase compared to the 591 units for MYR1.14 billion that were transferred in 2H2023. Although the average transaction price for upscale condominiums and serviced flats in the examined localities increased by 0.4 percent in 2H2024 compared to the previous six months, the average remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, take-up rates for a few recently introduced and ongoing projects have been encouraging, ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent. Lofthill Residence and Skyline Embassy are two examples of developments that have performed well. Furthermore, several soft-launched schemes have shown positive booking numbers, indicating robust market demand.

Market Outlook

In 2025, Malaysia’s residential real estate market is expected to rise steadily thanks to the country’s post-pandemic recovery and government programs that encourage homeownership and solve affordability issues. Since May 2023, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has kept the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 3.00 percent, fostering stability for borrowers and real estate investors. First-time homebuyers now have assurance thanks to this stable rate, which has increased demand for residential real estate. The Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) — which the government implemented in Budget 2025 — supports middle-class homeownership by providing tax exemption of up to MYR5,000 for first-time homebuyers who purchase houses priced between MYR500,000 and MYR750,000. By 2027, 8,000 affordable dwelling units will be constructed in the Federal Territories as part of the Residensi Madani plan and the MADANI Economy framework. These houses — which range in price from MYR150,000 to MYR200,000 — are aimed at the B40 income bracket and address housing affordability in Kuala Lumpur.

Creative campaigns from the corporate sector are complementing these initiatives. In addition to offering superior interest rates for environmentally friendly homes, Maybank’s Green Home Financing program provides 95 percent + 5 percent financing for certified green properties, including up-front expenses like insurance, legal fees, and stamp duty. Developers like Sunway Property have launched packages like “Dream Home Dream Phone,” which feature improved after-sales services like Handyman services under the Sunway Property+ (SP+) program, MOT subsidies, free kitchen cabinetry, and waivers of legal fees. Similarly, Sime Darby Property’s “The Perfect 10” campaign offers alluring benefits across several developments in desirable areas, such as cash prizes, early bird privileges, free MOT, stamp duty, and a free 12-month maintenance cost.

Kuala Lumpur’s premium residential market is anticipated to be steady in the future, growing gradually in line with the Asia-Pacific real estate market’s overall durability. The city offers investment prospects for residents and foreigners, with property rates among the cheapest in Asia. As buyer and investor preferences change, road and rail infrastructure improvements encourage suburban townships and transit-oriented developments (TOD) near important transit lines.

However, global inflationary pressures, geopolitical unrest, and economic instability continue to pose difficulties and might stifle market optimism and broader recovery initiatives. Despite these uncertainties, Malaysia’s strategic location, cultural diversity, and support for government policies strengthen its real estate appeal, setting the market for resilience and long-term growth.

Knight Frank Property Hub Managing Director, Enoch Khoo

Enoch Kooh, Knight Frank

“As of the second half of 2024, several key trends shaped by economic conditions, changing buyer preferences, and technological advancements have influenced the Malaysian residential property market. There are four notable trends: (1) Growing preference for larger residential units after the COVID-19 pandemic as buyers prioritise homes accommodating remote work, homeschooling, and leisure activities; (2) The Rise of Suburban and Secondary Cities means remote/hybrid work arrangements are on the uptick, causing buyers to move from crowded urban centres to suburban districts or secondary cities. Most notably, Johor Bahru, Penang and Ipoh are witnessing increased interest due to their lower property prices and easily accessible high-tech transport networks; (3) Developments in the influx of data centres and industrial integration are creating more job opportunities, which inadvertently drive housing demand in nearby areas such as Cyberjaya and Iskandar Malaysia; (4) Foreign Buyer Interest is another trend where the Malaysian government’s initiatives to attract foreign investment (e.g., Malaysia My Second Home program), has caused renewed interest from foreign buyers in specific high-end residential markets.”

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Premium Yachting Group Hong Seh Marine on Shining in Singapore

Filed Under: Luxury Lifestyle

Hong Seh Marine’s Edward Tan and Della Rugdee on a Ferretti Yachts 780.

When Edward Tan and his Hong Seh Marine team posed for a photo shoot on a Ferretti Yachts 780 at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, it was a fitting setting. Two units of the newly styled 780 — both sold by Hong Seh Marine in 2024 — arrived in Singapore in August and September 2024, with one purchased by an owner upgrading to his third Ferretti Yachts model.

“It’s just a perfect boat for Singapore,” says Tan, who founded Hong Seh Marine in 2008 as a division of the Hong Seh Group, his family’s business that dates back over eight decades in Singapore. “The number of Ferrettis has definitely increased in Singapore in recent years. It’s really become a player in the market – and the size of the yachts has been increasing.”

Hong Seh Marine at the Singapore Yacht Show

Quickly entrenched as one of Singapore’s leading yacht dealers, Hong Seh Marine recently expanded its office at ONE°15 Marina, where the company and Ferretti Group exhibited an impressive display of models during the annual Singapore Yacht Show in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even before Hong Seh Marine was founded, the Hong Seh Group had a partnership with Riva from the 1990s. But the Tan family’s boating business origins started long before that, in 1936, when Tan’s great-grandfather and grandfather started a ship chandlery on Beach Road.

That company evolved to trade in chemicals, paints and plastics, with Tan’s father Alfred — currently Managing Director of Hong Seh Group — joining in 1966.

Hong Seh Marine’s Riva sales in recent years include a 110’ Dolcevita (above) and a 100’ Corsaro

The luxury lifestyle focus soon emerged after Alfred Tan created Hong Seh Motors in 1982. Initially focused on car rentals and leasing, he soon acquired the Ferrari dealership and added Maserati in 1999, although Hong Seh Motors is now focused on electric vehicles, importing Tesla into Singapore.

Edward joined the family business in 1997, having graduated from the University of Denver. He recalls being sent to learn the trade at the Ferrari dealership in Mill Valley outside San Francisco.

“I went to understand what it’s like to work at a dealership, to get a different perspective away from the family business, and bring that type of operation back to Singapore,” Tan recalls.

In the meantime, Hong Seh had begun a partnership with Riva and famously sold a 70ft Corsaro 20 to the King of Malaysia in the late 1990s. Tan remembers the sale, having joined His Majesty on a trip soon after the boat was delivered.

The balcony of Hong Seh Marine’s office at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove

“It was a fantastic yacht,” Tan says. “I went on the Riva with His Majesty when he was delivering supplies to villagers up a long river. We were fortunate enough to join his entourage on this yacht, deliver the supplies and then head back to Kuala Lumpur.”

Moving Into Marine

After a decade working in the automobile industry, Tan saw an opportunity to add another arm to the family business and founded Hong Seh Marine in 2008 when it became the official dealer for Riva, which had been part of the fast-expanding Ferretti Group since 2000.

“My father always had a passion for cars – performance cars and specialty cars, and I had always thought about what else I could bring into the business,” Tan says. “We’d been used to seeing the luxury lifestyle and large sums of money transacted while selling Ferrari and Maserati. We saw people enjoying the better things in life and being able to afford it.

Hong Seh Marine sold two units of the newly styled Ferretti Yachts 780 last year

“So, after a few years working in the automotive industry, I realised yachting might be interesting to look into because the clientele is similar and we’re always looking for ways for people to enjoy life.”

For Tan, it was a natural move as he’d always been comfortable in water – “I could swim better than I could run” – and had grown up enjoying the sea and watersports.

“Since I was a kid, I’d always liked being in the water, whether swimming, diving, yachting. That led to me wanting to bring that type of lifestyle to our existing customers and a new group of people that could enjoy it.”

Due to his family’s business ties, Tan says Hong Seh Marine has benefited from “a regular bank of clients”, but says he had to learn the yachting industry from scratch to understand what boat owners require and what it takes to retain them as clients.

Edward Tan founded Hong Seh Marine in 2008

“Our thought has always been to provide our customers with the best possible service at any time. No matter where or when, if you need us, we’ll be there,” he says.

“When we started the marine business, I had to learn how to pilot the boat, maintain a boat, get crew, washing, anti-fouling, ship chandling and so on. At that time, we were cleaning our own boats; now, we provide captain and crew. We started from zero, so I know what first-time boaters go through.

“We want people to enjoy yachting, so we see things from the perspective of an end user, which we also are. We want owners to enjoy yachting as an experience. We provide the full infrastructure, so they don’t have to lift a finger.”

Expanding Range

Hong Seh Marine made a major move by adding the Ferretti Yachts and Pershing brands to its portfolio in 2013, as Ferretti Group was expanding its presence in the region by opening an Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

Pershing sales have included a 74 and the 9X (above), the 92ft X line flagship

“We had been selling Riva for four or five years and felt we wanted to do a little bit more. With Riva, your clients are limited, so we asked Ferretti Group if they’d consider letting us handle other brands,” Tan says.

“Each one has its own characteristic. Riva is the Rolls-Royce of production yachts. Pershing is the ultimate sports car of the seas – high speed, luxurious, a little bit zen. Ferretti Yachts is perfect for bringing friends and family on board to spend quality time. And almost all Ferretti Group boats are Class A certified so we’re not worried when clients travel offshore.”

Hong Seh Marine then underlined its new ambition by opening an office at ONE°15 Marina in 2014. Sales included the Riva 88’ Domino in 2016, while the following year’s sales included Riva’s then flagship 110’ Dolcevita as well as Ferretti Yachts 850, 700, 550 and 450 models.

Hong Seh Marine has expanded its team in recent years

With several of the new owners wanting full-time captains and crew, Hong Seh Marine created a yacht management division in 2017. Crew receive STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) training, and superyacht crew are certified at the Galileo Maritime Academy in Phuket.

Group Benefits

The yacht-management department has continued to grow over the years as sales rise, with Tan now defining models between 65-100ft as the stable core of the new-yacht sales division. At the same time, brokerage became increasingly significant as owners frequently looked to upgrade, typically within the Ferretti Group portfolio, explains Della Rugdee, Senior Yacht Broker.

“Owners who buy a Ferretti, for example, will typically upgrade within the brand or even within the Group, such as to a Riva or a Custom Line. This is the power of the Group and what they can provide to our clients,” says Rugdee, who joined Hong Seh Marine in 2016.

Senior Yacht Broker Della Rugdee joined Hong Seh Marine in 2016

“It helps a lot having a Ferretti Group office in Asia because we get real-time responses, so we’re not waiting seven-eight hours for Europe. Many have been with Ferretti Group for many years and based in Asia for a long time. Several speak Mandarin, which helps with a lot of our local clients. Overall, our clients feel they’re being well taken care of not just by the dealer but by the shipyard itself, which is why we have so many repeat clients.”

Tan says the Ferretti Group’s international presence is also key for clients, who may have business interests or residences around the globe.

“Our clients are often Singaporean, residing here or with links to Singapore, although some may be in Malaysia, around Asia or in Europe,” he says.

Custom Line sales have included a Navetta 28, a model succeeded by the new Navetta 30 (pictured)

“They might want to keep a boat in Singapore, the south of France, South Africa, Taiwan or Hong Kong, for example, and because we have a relationship, we assist them. And because we’re a representative of the Ferretti Group, we’re able to link our clients with a wide network as the Group has offices all around the globe.”

Hong Seh Marine’s clients also enjoy attending the Ferretti Group’s famously lavish parties including the annual Private Preview in Monaco, where Elton John, Duran Duran, Sting and Lionel Richie have led the entertainment in recent years.

Along with new model launches and premieres around the world, several clients also attended Ferretti Yachts’ spectacular 50th anniversary in Venice in 2018, featuring an air show by the Italian Air Force.

Hong Seh Marine clients have attended the Ferretti Group Private Preview in Monaco where Lionel Richie performed in 2019

Hong Seh Marine also regularly entertained clients by organising convoy trips to the likes of Indonesia or Malaysia every few months, although that has been curtailed during Covid.

New Market

The company even expanded its ONE°15 Marina office in 2019, an overall reflection of the steady growth in staff, crew, business divisions and yacht sales. Even during Covid, demand for new yachts has been solid, although sales in Singapore have been limited by stock, with Hong Seh Marine already ordering units for 2022.

However, with residents confined to Singapore, a new generation of boat buyers has emerged, which has bolstered the brokerage market and introduced more clients to the dealer. Before Covid, the revenue split between new and pre-owned sales was 50/50, but now brokerage is dominant, Rugdee says, with the company even selling boats to other parts of Asia and Europe.

Hong Seh Marine has represented Ferretti Yachts since 2013 and last year sold a new 670

“Brokerage is big-volume sales for us. People want to buy a boat and use it right now,” she says. “A lot of new local owners have just got their licence while repeat clients are upgrading with us and some have even expanded their fleet. People buying 30-40-footers are buying from the existing market and the sellers are moving up to 40-50ft.

“We’ve seen younger-generation parents wanting to bring boating and the watersports culture to their kids at a young age and families engage with us because we can take them out on small 20-30ft boats.”

It has been 13 years since Tan founded Hong Seh Marine and Covid has seen his clientele further diversify from solely the owners of the ‘Rolls-Royce of production yachts’, while the recent acquisition of a charter boat, Partybus (see below), is further evidence of a company prepared to evolve.

Hong Seh Marine is Singapore’s leading home-grown yacht dealer

“The Covid period has been good for the yachting industry overall,” he says. “Previously, yachting was seen as more exclusive. Now, you have everybody trying a boat, with people seeing if this lifestyle interests them. I think it has been an eye-opening experience for the people who have never tried it before. They’ve dipped their toes in the water, so in that sense it has been good.”

This article was first seen on yachtstyle.co.

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What Is Behind Malaysia’s E-Commerce Boom?

Filed Under: Luxury Lifestyle

Photo by HC Digital

Online shopping is one of the most common pastimes of today. In Malaysia, that habit has resulted in explosive growth for the Southeast Asian e-commerce industry. With Statista estimating that the gross merchandise value of the Malaysia e-commerce market will reach USD 16 billion in 2025, Malaysia is clearly on the fast track to becoming a regional powerhouse. What is behind this rapid rise? The answer lies in a perfect storm of digital infrastructure, government initiatives and a mobile-engaged consumer base.

The Road to E-Commerce

Photo by Shutter Speed

The country’s humble e-commerce beginnings started in 2004 with the introduction of eBay Malaysia, though to little effect. While not entirely unsuccessful, the online platform failed to account for regional and cultural differences when it expanded to Southeast Asia. Its reputation as a second-hand goods marketplace, awkward auction-style format and lack of globalised digital payment structures left eBay to quietly fade from relevancy in Malaysia.

It was not until 2012, with the arrival of major players like Lazada, followed by Shopee in 2015, that the online shopping experience in the country truly began to evolve. Combined with the rise and advancement of internet services in the 2010s, these platforms have become staples in Malaysia. Fast forward to 2025, the country is on track to become a key regional player, with digital commerce agency TMO Group estimating over 56 million monthly site visits to Shopee alone.

A Mobile-First Malaysia

Photo by KC Shum

What is occurring within Malaysia’s digital revolution is more so m-commerce (mobile commerce) rather than e-commerce. As of November 2024, an estimated 89 percent of the population owned a smartphone. Moreover, most users prefer to spend their time browsing online shopping apps, making e-commerce a natural part of their everyday life. Software company Capillary Tech suggested that mobile commerce growth would outpace overall e-commerce growth, projected as a USD 8.9 billion market in 2023.

User-friendly shopping apps like Lazada and Shopee, have been key drivers in the switch to m-commerce. Many Southeast Asian consumers not only access these apps for traditional purchases but also for flash sales and exclusive mobile-only offers, increasing user engagement. For shoppers, it feels like a seamless experience: they can browse items on their mobile devices while on the go and take advantage of promotions on well-known flash sale days such as 11.11 and 12.12.

READ MORE: Raya 2025 Collections by Malaysian Fashion Designers To Shop

Lazada is always strategic in its moves towards Malaysian consumers. Over 2020, it was reported that the e-commerce giant experienced an 80 percent increase in daily online transactions. Lazada — backed by tech titan Alibaba — were able to utilise an efficient logistics system and smooth digital infrastructure to fulfill Malaysian orders, driving more purchases. During the pandemic, the company largely invested into monthly online shopping events and social media marketing.

In 2022, Lazada played on Malaysian pride by introducing an inter-state competition. The “Lazada 12.12 1-2-Jus Showdown” encouraged shoppers to participate in the rock-paper-scissors style local game “1, 2, Jus” to win vouchers. If shoppers played in teams within their state, the state with the highest collective points would win RM 120,000 worth of Lazada vouchers in total. Mirroring the excitement of real game apps, consumers were treated to hidden points and rewards during the campaign — according to Lazada, 7,000 Malaysians received 20 to 50 points for participating in the game as a way of rewarding consumers for their engagement on the app. “Every state has something unique to be proud about, and we wanted to leverage this sense of pride to create a collective challenge,” Lazada Group CMO Marcus Chew said in a Marketing Interactive article.

Shopee — now the leading m-commerce platform in the country — is also not one to be ignored. CNA reported that the Singaporean tech company pulled ahead of Lazada as Malaysia’s market leader just before 2020. From the get-go, Shopee approached the Southeast Asian market aggressively, with even lower prices than their competitors. In 2018, they tapped global k-pop girl group Blackpink as their ambassadors, followed by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in 2019 — both of whom have particularly dedicated followings in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Their abundance of mobile promotions like the addicting Shopee Shake and the trivia-filled Shopee Quiz were cleverly created to garner loyal customers and captivate users who no doubt indulge in similar entertainment apps. As Dr Jeffrey Towson, managing partner at tech consulting firm TechMoat Consulting, told CNA, “The recent merger of video, commerce and social media into a new type of e-commerce means you need entirely new types of skills. Suddenly, you have to be an entertainment company, a retailer, and a logistics company.”

Shopee Live is a particularly successful area for the company, which has generated business for local Malaysian entrepreneurs. The Malaysian Reserve reported that Shopee Malaysia experienced a 113 percent increase in new sellers using Shopee Live to sell their products in 2024. For businesses like Petals Malaysia — a Selangor-based hair care brand — Shopee Live has proven transformative. Khairul Azman — the brand’s founder — shared that he sold over 26,000 units of their halal hair dye thanks to real-time interactions with the app’s livestream. Shopee’s various #ShopeeSapotLokal initiatives reward buyers with deep discounts if they purchase from Malaysian vendors, providing an influx of customers for local businesses.

Digital Building Blocks

While coupons and discounts will always be enticing to the everyday consumer, it is actually the convenience of delivery that Malaysians are so drawn to. In the third quarter of 2023, Statista calculated that 64.8 percent of Malaysian internet users said that free delivery was their top factor in completing online purchases. Around 50 percent of users said their top motivator was coupons and discounts, while around 40 percent said it was next-day delivery.

READ MORE: The Other Side of Kuala Lumpur: Underrated Destinations Worth Visiting

The data is no secret. Various Southeast Asian e-commerce platforms work with a plethora of Malaysian third party logistics companies such as Ninja Van Malaysia, City-Link Express and GDEX, to ensure faster delivery. Retail Asia estimated that around 95 percent of Shopee’s orders are shipped out the same day. Their latest venture into quicker delivery is the Shopee International Platform (SIP), where SIP-approved Shopee sellers can sell and ship their items across other Southeast Asian regions with no additional costs. Currently, the programme serves Malaysia and Thailand, where customers in those regions can benefit from a timely order and delivery process for overseas goods.

Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia’s Silicon Valley equivalent

Of course, underlying this robust online economy is the digital infrastructure. Two decades ago, Malaysia’s digital prowess was relatively low, with a small population of mobile phone users and lack of digital literacy. Only in the 2020s is there significant leaps forward for the country’s digital evolution. Much of this comes from the establishment of government programmes and initiatives like the National eCommerce Strategic Roadmap in 2016 and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint in 2021. These programmes aim to help businesses reach global markets and improve the efficiency for online payments.

Shop Till You Drop, The Malaysian Way

Photo by Umar Mukhtar

Most importantly, it is the way Malaysian approach shopping that differs from other Southeast Asian regions. In an op-ed for the New Straits Times, Universiti Teknologi MARA lecturers Dr Geetha Muthusamy and Dr Ramesh Krishnan suggested that Malaysian consumers are more likely to purchase online compared to their counterparts in other Southeast Asian countries. What is more, a majority of online consumers do not even know what they want to buy, but simply “shop-hop” from as many as seven different m-commerce platforms until they click “checkout.” Malaysian customers have never been one to splurge too much at shopping malls, but the ease of online ordering bypasses all decision-making. The conversation is no longer about whether to buy or not, but instead, what to buy today.

Malaysia’s e-commerce growth mirrors other countries that came before it in the digital revolution. What sets it apart is its strong mobile-user population, who prefer to scroll on shop apps more than they do social media. Exacerbating this is the localisation (in both senses of the word) of retail businesses through main platforms Shopee and Lazada, enticingly marketed through daily promotions and 2-in-1 deals. Malaysia’s digital success may have occurred slightly later than its ASEAN neighbours, but its rapidly expanding mobile-savvy population and newly-minted tech infrastructures positions the country as an emerging leader in Southeast Asia’s digital economy.

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