Media OutReach
AI Presents Growth Opportunities for Malaysian eCommerce Sellers, Despite Adoption Challenges, Lazada Report Reveals
- On average, Malaysian online sellers have adopted AI in only 26% of their business operations, significantly lower than the SEA average of 37%.
- Indonesia and Vietnam lead average AI adoption in eCommerce in Southeast Asia, followed by Singapore and Thailand.
- Lazada’s new playbook provides sellers with best practices, actionable insights and resources to help integrate AI into their operations.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 April 2025 – Lazada, a leading eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia, today published its research report, Bridging the AI Gap: Online Seller Perceptions and Adoption Trends in Southeast Asia (SEA). Developed in collaboration with Kantar, the report surveyed 1,214 eCommerce sellers across Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to examine AI adoption trends, challenges, and opportunities—shedding light on sellers’ readiness to integrate AI into their operations.
Knowledge, perception and implementation gap evident among online sellers
The research reveals that 69% of Malaysian online sellers show strong familiarity of AI, in line with the average for the region at 68%, indicating that they are aware of AI. While SEA sellers believe they have integrated AI into 47% of their business operations, actual adoption stands only at 37%. In Malaysia, this gap is even wider with sellers estimating adoption at 30%, while real implementation is lower at just 26%, underscoring a disparity between perceived and actual AI use in the country.
Online sellers face a dilemma in terms of assessing AI efficacy and its cost implications. While 89% of SEA sellers acknowledge AI’s role in boosting productivity, this sentiment is slightly lower amongst Malaysian sellers at 77%. This contrasts with the perceived overall usefulness of AI, where only 1 in 2 Malaysian sellers are sceptical about its utility, compared with almost two-thirds (61%) of SEA sellers who feel the same. Furthermore, although 87% sellers in Malaysia agree that AI can drive long-term cost savings, nearly two-thirds (64%) cite costliness and time-consuming implementation as barriers to adoption.
The research also suggests an implementation gap, where sellers understand the importance of AI but struggle with effective deployment. Highlighting the challenge of transitioning from familiar, manual processes to AI-driven solutions, nearly all sellers in SEA (93%) agree that it is important to upskill the workforce to use AI so that they can be more productive, yet 3 out of 4 sellers (75%) also concede that their employees still prefer to use tools they are familiar with, rather than new AI solutions. In Malaysia, the importance of upskilling for AI is slightly lower at 89%, although a high majority of sellers (67%) still indicate that their employees prefer to use tried-and-tested ways of working.
Comparing AI-readiness levels in Malaysia vs. SEA
Across the region, Indonesia and Vietnam lead with 42% AI adoption across business functions, while Singapore and Thailand follow closely at 39% and finally the Philippines at 32% and Malaysia at 26%. Based on the level of AI adoption across five core aspects of operations of a seller’s business, namely operations and logistics, product management, marketing and advertising, customer service, and workforce management, the report identifies three distinct seller archetypes – AI Adepts, AI Aspirants, and AI Agnostics[1], based on the average score they attained in each aspect of operations to represent their readiness level to embrace AI:
- AI Adepts: Sellers who have integrated AI across at least 80% of their operations, placing them at the forefront of adoption. Only 15% of Malaysian sellers belong to this category, significantly lower than the SEA average of 24%.
- AI Aspirants: Sellers who have partially integrated AI into their operations, but still face adoption gaps across key functions. This group comprises 43% of Malaysian sellers, aligning with half of the sellers in Southeast Asia (50%).
- AI Agnostics: This group lags in AI adoption, with most business functions still handled manually. Malaysians have a notably higher number of sellers in this category (42%), nearly double the Southeast Asia average of 26%.
Findings indicate that Thailand has the highest share of AI Adepts, with 30% of sellers in this category. Singapore (29%), Indonesia (29%), and Vietnam (22%) also demonstrate strong AI implementation despite knowledge gaps, while Malaysia (15%) and the Philippines (19%) face challenges related to internal buy-in and infrastructure limitations. 85% of Malaysian sellers fall into the AI Aspirants and AI Agnostics categories, signalling a pressing need for enhanced seller support (48%) and AI-powered tools (47%) to drive implementation.
“The findings from our research reveal a fascinating gap in Southeast Asia’s eCommerce ecosystem. While most sellers understand AI’s transformative potential, many are still navigating the path from recognition to implementation,” said James Dong, Chief Executive Officer, Lazada Group. “As a leading eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia, we aim to bridge the knowledge and adoption gap by developing accessible AI solutions that address the unique challenges faced by sellers across different markets, ultimately making technology more accessible and driving sustainable business growth regardless of a seller’s size or technical expertise.”
Leveraging Lazada’s AI-driven solutions to transform business operations
To support sellers in their AI adoption journey, Lazada is launching the Online Sellers Artificial Intelligence Readiness Playbook, designed to provide strategic guidance based on sellers’ AI maturity levels. The research reveals that sellers are already leveraging key AI-driven solutions on Lazada’s platform to enhance their efficiency, validating Lazada’s continuous investments into cutting-edge AI innovations and advanced tools that streamline eCommerce operations and drive competitiveness.
With 67% of sellers expressing strong satisfaction in existing Lazada AI features[2], Lazada is also releasing new Generative AI (GenAI) features that are designed to empower sellers and enhance their product listings, streamline operations, and boost customer conversions such as:
- AI Smart Product Optimisation: Powered by GenAI, this tool helps sellers identify improvements they can make to their product titles, descriptions, or even photos. It enables automated virtual try-ons, background modifications, and model adjustments, allowing sellers to produce professional product imagery quickly within minutes.
- AI-Powered Translations: This feature automatically translates product content into multiple local languages, enabling sellers to expand their reach across diverse markets efficiently and accurately.
- Lazzie Seller: A dedicated AI assistant within the Alibaba Seller Centre (ASC), providing instant responses to frequently asked questions, quick navigation to key features, store risk assessments, and business advice to boost seller efficiency and growth.
To find out more, download the Online Sellers Artificial Intelligence Readiness Playbook to understand how these solutions can offer a structured framework for sellers to integrate AI into their workflows to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation in an ever-evolving eCommerce landscape.
About the Research
Developed in partnership with Kantar, Bridging the AI Gap: Online Seller Perceptions and Adoption Trends in Southeast Asia provides a comprehensive analysis of AI adoption trends, challenges, and opportunities, offering insights into how sellers can leverage AI to drive growth and efficiency in Southeast Asia’s evolving eCommerce landscape. The report surveyed 1,214 eCommerce sellers across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam in February 2025.
This follows the Artificial Intelligence Adoption in eCommerce in Southeast Asia Whitepaper, another research conducted in partnership with Kantar, which surveyed more than 6,000 eCommerce users in the region in September 2024 to better understand AI awareness, trust and preferences, shopping behaviour, and consumer pain points in the region.
Annex
Lazada’s AI features for sellers:
- Lazada Business Advisor: AI-powered analytics tool that provides real-time insights to optimise sales and business performance. Almost seven in 10 Lazada sellers report strong satisfaction and almost half (48%) actively use this tool to track trends and make data-driven decisions
- Lazada Sponsored Solutions: A targeted advertising platform that boosts product visibility and maximises sales through AI-driven recommendations. Two in three (67%) sellers report strong satisfaction, and 46% actively use this tool, citing its positive impact on sales growth.
- AI Smart Listing: Generative AI tool that automates product listing by generating and pre-filling compelling attributes based on images or keywords. 64% of sellers report strong satisfaction in leveraging this feature to reduce listing time and improve content quality.
- Virtual Try-Ons: An AI-powered AR feature that allows shoppers to visualise products in real time, increasing purchase confidence and reducing returns. 62% of sellers express strong satisfaction with its effectiveness, with 42% of sellers using it actively.
- AI Selling Points: A tool that analyses product data and customer behaviour to automatically highlight key product features to drive conversions. 68% of sellers express strong satisfaction with this feature and 42% actively use it to attract more customers to their storefront online.
- Lazada IM Shop Assistant (LISA): An AI-powered tool that helps sellers enhance customer engagement by providing automated, AI-driven responses to inquiries, improving service efficiency and conversion rates. 65% of sellers express strong satisfaction with this feature and 38% actively use it.
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About Lazada Group
Lazada Group is Southeast Asia’s pioneer eCommerce platform. For the last 13 years, Lazada has been accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. Today, a thriving local ecosystem links about 160 million active users to more than one million actively-selling sellers every month, who are transacting safely and securely via trusted payment channels and Lazada Wallet, receiving parcels through a homegrown logistics network that has become the largest in the region.
Strategic Selection: A Global Education Hub
For students planning to study abroad, choosing a university often means balancing academic reputation with a curriculum that aligns with current industry needs and global trends. Hong Kong’s blend of Eastern and Western cultures, strong academic institutions, and global career pathways makes it a natural draw. Through CUHK’s Scholarship Nomination Programme for Vietnamese students, Dat identified a programme that stood apart. “CUHK quickly became my top and only choice because of its strong reputation, supportive community, and the unique major I was passionate about,” he shared.
Bridging Technical Rigour and Holistic Education
Since joining the Faculty of Engineering, Dat’s academic experience reflects a broader transformation in engineering education. The SEEM curriculum continuously challenges students to think critically and solve complex operational problems. Its unique blend of engineering principles and economic theory equips students to tackle real-world business challenges. Dat has especially valued courses that combine quantitative problem-solving with practical business applications.
Beyond his major, CUHK’s University General Education courses has allowed Dat to explore interdisciplinary fields beyond engineering, reinforcing a holistic perspective that is increasingly valued by global employers.
A Vibrant Campus Environment and Cross-Cultural Connection
Outside the lecture hall, Dat has built a rich university life. He participates in cultural exchange workshops, joins language exchanges with international students, volunteers at campus events, and explores Hong Kong through hiking trips.
One memory stands out in particular: celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival on campus with close Vietnamese friends. “Sharing these special cultural moments made me feel truly at home and gave me more confidence adapting to university life,” he noted. For Dat, CUHK is defined by the balance of academic rigour and inspiring community.
CUHK’s Systems Engineering and Engineering Management Programme
The SEEM programme prepares graduates to manage complex, data-driven systems across modern industries by integrating engineering technology with management. Key highlights include:
- Specialised Streams: Offers focused specialisation streams in Business Information Systems and Decision Analytics.
- Analytical Toolkit: Trains students in advanced mathematical tools including optimisation, stochastic modelling, and computer simulation.
- Technology at the Core: Infuses core engineering studies with cutting-edge expertise in machine learning, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
- Global Career Paths: Equips competitive graduates for prominent positions in asset management, information technology consulting, and e-commerce supply chain management.
For more information about CUHK’s undergraduate programmes, visit https://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/.
Hashtag: #CUHK
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Media OutReach
#legend Celebrates 10+ Years with Major Digital Milestone as Chairman Bruce Rockowitz Highlights Next Growth Chapter
Founded in Hong Kong, #legend has developed into a recognized destination for readers seeking curated coverage at the intersection of luxury, culture, and contemporary lifestyle. The platform’s editorial scope spans fashion, watch and jewellery, beauty, music, art and design, dining, travel, tech, motors, and wellness, with a focus on the people and ideas shaping modern culture.
“The new readership milestone signals more than audience growth. It marks a broader phase of momentum for the brand as #legend increases editorial investment across its core Culture, Watch and Jewellery, Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle verticals while continuing to deepen relationships with luxury advertisers and collaborators,” said Bruce Rockowitz, Chairman of #legend. The print and digital publication currently works with 150+ brand partners, reflecting sustained market confidence in its editorial positioning and audience relevance.
Over the past 10+ years, #legend has published more than 100 cover stories featuring influential figures and culturally significant voices. That editorial body of work has helped define the brand’s identity in Hong Kong’s media space, where readers increasingly seek quality over volume and distinct perspective over generic content. As print and digital media becomes more fragmented, #legend’s growth points to continued demand for trusted storytelling with a clear cultural lens.
“Reaching more than 500,000 monthly readers on our digital platforms is an important moment for us, especially as we look back on over a decade of building #legend,” said Steve Rockowitz, CEO & Publisher of #legend. “It reflects the strength of our editorial direction, the loyalty of our audience, and the value of creating stories that connect culture with lifestyle in a way that feels relevant to Hong Kong and the region.”
As part of its next stage of development, #legend is placing greater emphasis on the categories that have shaped its readership base and brand identity. That includes continued focus on premium storytelling in culture, watch and jewellery, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, along with expanded collaboration across its creative and commercial network. The company said these priorities are intended to strengthen both audience engagement and long-term partnership value.
The milestone also highlights the publication’s role in a changing luxury media environment, where advertisers are increasingly selective about context, audience alignment, and editorial quality. By combining scale with a distinct local voice and premium subject matter, #legend continues to position itself as a strong print and digital platform for both readers and brand partners in Hong Kong.
Bruce Rockowitz and the business of media growth
Bruce Rockowitz has recently spoken about the practical role of innovation and technology in building stronger businesses across media and other consumer-facing sectors. In reported commentary, he has emphasized the value of tools that improve personalization, audience engagement, operational efficiency, and subscription retention, while maintaining that creativity, judgment, and human connection remain central to brand building. That perspective aligns with broader industry shifts as digital publishers look for sustainable ways to grow audience loyalty and commercial relevance.
With its latest audience milestone, #legend is entering its next chapter from a position of measurable traction. The company’s 10+ year track record, 500K+ monthly readership, 100+ cover stories, and 150+ brand partners together reflect a publication that is not only established, but still building.
Hashtag: #legend
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About #legend
#legend is Hong Kong’s premier digital destination for fashion, beauty, culture, and the extraordinary lives of the city’s most influential figures. Founded in Hong Kong, #legend has grown from a local publication into an influential voice in Asian luxury lifestyle media. The platform covers Culture, Watches & Jewellery, Fashion, Travel, Wellness, Design, Beauty, and related verticals, through print, digital, social media, and event experiences, with a mission to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence, connects influential audiences with the people, brands, and ideas shaping the future of luxury living.
For more information, visit: https://hashtaglegend.com/about
Media OutReach
5.096 Million Units Exported in Six Months: Beyond the Headline Figure, China is Reshaping Global Automotive Rules
The Chery Fulwin T7 (marketed overseas as the LEPAS L6) serves as a flagship model representing this transformation. Designed as a “born-global” vehicle, it adopts a reverse roll-out strategy—debuting in international markets prior to initiating domestic pre-sales.
Industry observers note that the significance of Chinese automakers participating in the formulation of global standards far outweighs mere export volume. Traditional automotive powerhouses are now poised to face increasingly formidable competitors.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
