E-commerce in the PH thrives amid post-pandemic retail boom

The e-commerce industry in the Philippines continues to thrive and evolve, according to Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines. 

Addressing concerns about the resurgence of brick-and-mortar stores post-pandemic, Barrera highlighted that the growing demand for e-commerce services shows a more mature and discerning market with people now expecting more from e-commerce; it is the challenge they want to meet. 

Barrera emphasized that physical stores offer a unique "experiential" aspect of shopping, where customers can see and try products in person. However, this complements rather than limits e-commerce. 

With innovations like artificial intelligence and improved logistics, Lazada is enhancing its services, including 14-hour delivery across most of the country and even same-day delivery in Metro Manila. These advancements aim to deliver better experiences for increasingly demanding customers.

While pandemic-driven growth was significant, Barrera noted that the real change lies in shifting consumer behavior wherein people are shopping more frequently but with smaller transactions. The average Lazada user now visits the platform 6 to 8 times per month, purchasing items across a wider variety of categories.

This trend underscores the sustained growth of e-commerce in the Philippines, which Barrera describes as one of the fastest-growing markets globally. As consumers become more connected to platforms like Lazada, the future of online retail in the country looks promising.