Stop Relying Solely on eCommerce platforms: Why Malaysian Brands Must Go Multichannel Now
For many Malaysian brand owners, selling on platforms like Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok Shop seems like the easiest path to scale. These marketplaces offer massive exposure, built-in logistics, and ready buyers.
But here’s the danger: Over-reliance on marketplaces makes your business vulnerable.
One algorithm change. One penalty from a missed SLA. One new platform fee. Suddenly, your entire revenue stream is at risk.
In 2025, the brands that thrive will be those that diversify beyond marketplaces — and build direct customer relationships through DTC websites, retail, and omnichannel engagement.
⚠️ The Risks of Marketplace Dependence
Platforms like Shopee and Lazada are convenient but controlling. They dictate:
- Pricing competitiveness (race to the bottom)
- Logistics standards (same-day handovers, strict SLAs)
- Visibility algorithms (that change with little notice)
- Customer data (you never own it)
In short, you’re building your business on rented land.
📉 Real-World Consequences for Sellers
- Sellers face tighter Late Shipment Rate penalties on Shopee (as low as 10%)
- New Buy Box logic on Lazada deprioritizes even slight inconsistencies
- TikTok Shop favors video-first creators, not necessarily product-first brands
- Brands lose up to 30–40% in margin after fees, commissions, and ads just to stay visible
✅ Multichannel Is the Antidote
Building across channels — especially your own — puts control back in your hands:
| Channel | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Website | Full margins, owned customer data, deeper engagement |
| Offline Retail & Pop-Ups | Tangible brand experiences, instant gratification |
| Marketplaces (Selective) | Volume and discoverability |
| Social Commerce / WhatsApp | Conversational selling, higher trust in niche audiences |
Brands like Oxwhite, Naelofar, and Signature Market have built powerful multichannel ecosystems — starting on platforms, but scaling through owned sales channels.
📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie: Offline & DTC Are Still Huge
- Malaysia’s offline retail still accounts for 80–90% of total sales, even in 2025
- The online market is growing fast (USD 10.7B in 2025), but still under 30% of total retail
- Brands with omnichannel presence see 30–60% higher customer lifetime value (CLV) vs single-channel sellers
🛠 Why Multichannel Logistics Is the Game-Changer
Diversifying is easy in theory — but hard in operations.
Every new channel adds:
- New SLAs
- Inventory sync challenges
- Reverse logistics and returns complexity
- Higher expectations for speed and branding
That’s where SNT Global makes the difference.
🚚 How SNT Global Supports Multichannel Brands
1. Unified Fulfillment Across Channels
- Shopify, WooCommerce, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and even offline orders — all integrated into one OMS/WMS
2. Brand-Centric DTC Fulfillment
- Branded packaging, unboxing experiences, and loyalty insert management
- SLA-optimized fulfillment to match customer expectations
3. Offline Store & Pop-Up Support
- Store replenishment services
- Inventory shared between online and offline sales points
4. Return Management
- Handle returns from any channel, synced back into inventory in real time
5. Scalable Infrastructure
- Peak season manpower, automation tools, and 7-day operations — without you hiring a single picker
🔑 Final Thought
Shopee and Lazada are tools — not a business plan.
Relying on them as your only growth engine leaves you exposed, margin-squeezed, and disconnected from your own customers.
Multichannel is no longer optional. It’s the only sustainable way to build brand equity, data ownership, and long-term profitability.
💡 Let SNT Global Be Your Growth Partner
We help brands:
- Escape the limitations of marketplace-only fulfillment
- Build reliable DTC and offline fulfillment strategies
- Scale confidently, with visibility, speed, and accuracy
👉 Start your multichannel transformation today — with fulfillment that’s built to flex as you grow.