140,000 businesses benefit on the back of 1 mil successful ShopeePay eBelia claims

Close to 1 million youths have successfully claimed their eBelia credit via ShopeePay. As of 7 June, the programme has succeeded in generating sales amounting to 120% of the total amount disbursed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) through ShopeePay. Additionally, some 140,000 sellers and traders that accept ShopeePay have already benefited from the eBelia programme.

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Head of ShopeePay Malaysia Alain Yee said, ”As one of the newest mobile wallets to enter a crowded space, it is indeed humbling to receive the resounding support from eligible eBelia participants. When compared against MOF’s announcement, the bulk of the 1.7 million successful applicants have chosen ShopeePay. This is possibly because our e-wallet can be used both online and offline nationwide, with a reach as far and wide as Semporna, Sabah; Miri, Sarawak; Kemaman and Gong Badak in Terengganu and Bachok, Kelantan.”

Yee added that based on the preliminary data from 1 till 7 June, user behaviour amongst eBelia recipients suggest that the programme has driven adoption of e-wallets and is likely going to lead to long term usage.

“Of the total successful eBelia applicants via our mobile wallet, about 40% are new ShopeePay users that activated their e-wallet just for eBelia. Additionally, we are positive that customer retention rate amongst these new users will be high as over 20% have already topped up their e-wallet at least once within the first week of using ShopeePay,” he explained.

On what the recipients have been spending on, Yee shared that many were seen to be using the eBelia credit on very practical purchases: daily necessities, food and beverages, books, as well as home and living items, among others. A closer look into the spending pattern of these eBelia youths for the past week reveals the following (Observations are made based on top 100 merchants by transactions recorded offline, online (merchants’ webstores and Apps), and on Shopee):

  • Payments made at ShopeePay merchants’ outlets (offline): 8 in every 10 transactions made were at hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores such as MYDIN, 99 Speedmart and Billion branches nationwide.
  • Payments made on ShopeePay merchants’ webstores and Apps (online): 1 in every 5 transactions went towards purchasing food and beverages via apps like KFC, DeliverEat and ZUS Coffee.
  • Payments made on Shopee: Watsons and Guardian are two of the top 10 brands amongst eBelia recipients who spent more than RM1.5 million in just one week buying health supplements, personal care and beauty products from the two pharmacy chains. Additionally, they spent over RM160,000 on books at the Big Bad Wolf Books official store on Shopee. Youths also took the opportunity to update their computer accessories and gadgets by using the vouchers from the RM500 voucher pack at Apple distributor Switch, OPPO as well as realme.

Commenting on the eBelia initiative, Datuk Wira (Dr.) Hj Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director of MYDIN and Vice President of Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) said, “The programme is helping youth to manage their cost of living while serving as a convenient payment mode for us local retailers, especially during this pandemic where cashless payments are encouraged to minimize the risk of virus transmission. The ShopeePay eBelia recipients registered over 5,600 transactions with MYDIN alone in the first week of the launch, buying groceries from both our online and offline stores. While that figure may not seem big, it is a shared pie and we are certain that other local retailers and even mom and pop shops are benefitting one way or another. This is also a positive sign for adoption of cashless payments among Malaysians and we believe this digital drive will enhance efficiency in the retail sector.”

The eBelia programme is still open for registration to eligible youths aged 18 to 20 years old in 2021 or full-time students enrolled in courses equivalent to diploma or Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 4 (SKM4) and above at local public and private registered institutions of higher learning.

Yee concluded, “According to MOF’s announcement, eBelia is still open for another 250,000 redemptions. Successful claimants via ShopeePay will not only receive RM150 e-wallet credit. We are also guaranteeing an additional RM500 worth of vouchers from attractive brands such as Amazin’ Graze, Caltex, FamilyMart, MR.DIY, Nestlé, Philips and Starbucks. Therefore, don’t miss out on this opportunity. It will also help our local traders greatly.”

Shopee will also be providing the students with additional Free Shipping, Coins Cashback and ShopeePay Deals Near Me vouchers for even more value.

To claim the RM150 under eBelia on ShopeePay and get extra RM500 vouchers guaranteed, visit https://shopee.com.my/m/ebelia-claim. Terms and conditions apply.

Source: Shopee (Press Release)