- MarketMaze
- Posts
- Shopee Explosion💥
Shopee Explosion💥
Plus: Packaging Playbook📦
In partnership with
Welcome to MarketMaze, the #1 newsletter for staying on top of the latest in Ecommerce & Marketplaces. Get all the insights you need in just 5 minutes!
🧠 Big Story:
Shopee Explosion💥
📊 Key Data:
Packaging Playbook📦
+ over 20 handpicked hot news from the last week you need to know 🔥
As promised, we’re back with our second report in the area of social commerce. This time we dive into live commerce.
If you missed the first one, check it out here:
P.S. Some of you might have seen a warning when clicking on our links (flagged as "unsafe to open"). We’re aware of the issue and are investigating. It’s likely related to Beehiiv, the tool we use for sending newsletters. We’re on it, and we’ll update you if we uncover anything.
Thanks for being part of the journey!
Shopee Explosion💥
$101B GMV.
11B orders.
50% annual growth since 2018.
(And it's showing no signs of slowing down.)
Shopee went big in 2021, expanding into Europe and India.
By 2023? They pulled back.
Calculated retreat refocused the brand on high-potential markets.
Less international drag. More operational efficiency.
After a challenging 2021, Shopee rebounded by turning EBITDA profitable by 2024.
The key? Strategic retrenchment.
Sea Group (Shopee’s parent company) again holds a solid $10B cash reserve (same as in 2021 before expansion).
Big moves are coming?
Plant People's Multi-Channel Approach to Dominating The Wellness Space
Getting a customer to convert takes time. For most shoppers, it’s not one touchpoint and done — It’s multiple interactions, multiple impressions, and multiple platforms.
Plant People quickly, easily, and authentically hit those touchpoints by pairing large-scale micro-influencer pushes and paid ads across social platforms.
🌱 Plant People achieved this two-in-one approach campaign with minisocial. They tapped into quality, on-brand micro-influencers to facilitate the touchpoints needed for conversions.
Are you ready to give your marketing strategy the fuel it needs to hit your growth targets? Get 15% off your first campaign with minisocial. 🎉
Packaging Playbook📦
Consumers demand rock-solid packaging.
In a recent ConsumerX survey published in Mondi report, protection isn’t just an add-on—it’s essential. Meanwhile, eco-friendly touches build trust.
Shoppers weigh durability and green credentials like blockbuster hits.
It’s the ultimate two-for-one deal:
→ Shield your goods
→ Honor the planet
A striking 38% of buyers aren’t willing to fork over extra cash for upscale packaging.
Even with flashy, innovative designs, cost sensitivity rules the day.
Brands must blend style with affordability to keep cautious shoppers from walking away.
A staggering 1 in 3 shoppers abandon retailers over clunky packaging.
When designs are oversized or a recycling nightmare, consumers walk away fast.
Bad packaging isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a dealbreaker.
A killer unboxing moment can flip a one-time buyer into a loyal fan.
Memorable packaging creates an experience that resonates across borders, sparking repeat business.
It’s more than just a pretty box - it’s an event.
Even in a frugal market, a standout presentation can redefine customer expectations.
The perfect unboxing experience hinges on three key elements:
→ Size
→ Sustainability
→ Ease
Data shows these three transform an ordinary package into a memorable moment—like the perfect combo in your favorite video game.
Smart design paired with eco-friendly materials and effortless usability can elevate brand perception.
Want a best partner for Packaging?
Check Packhelp
How much are code leaks costing your DTC business?
KeepCart: Coupon Protection partners with D2C brands like Quince, Blueland, Vessi and more to stop/monitor coupon leaks to sites/extensions like Honey, CapitalOne, RetailMeNot, and more to boost your DTC margins
Overpaid commissions to affiliates and influencers add up fast - Get rid of the headache and revenue losses with KeepCart.
🇪🇺 EU Enforces DMA on Google Amid Rival Demands for Fairness. On Mar 5, EU rivals like DuckDuckGo and Seznam accused Google of breaking DMA rules. They claim the firm's choice screen and data sharing are unfair, urging full probe since fall 2024. 👉 TechCrunch
🇺🇸 Google Boosts Shopping with AI-Powered Fashion & AR Try-On in US. On Mar 5, Google launched Vision Match for US mobile shoppers to find similar clothes by text. Upgraded AR try-ons now enhance beauty and apparel shopping experiences. 👉 TechCrunch
🇺🇸 Meta Rolls Out AI Support for SMBs on Instagram & Facebook in US. On Mar 5, Meta introduced an AI customer support agent for small businesses on Instagram and Facebook. The tool uses Llama models to handle chats 24/7, boosting service across 600M daily interactions. 👉 Fast Company
🇺🇸 Best Buy Emulates Amazon & Walmart by Launching New Marketplace. Best Buy announced a US marketplace set for mid-2024, focusing on new products and ad-driven growth. The strategy, inspired by Amazon and Walmart, aims to boost fiscal 2026 performance. 👉 Modern Retail
🇺🇸 Google Ads Outage Cuts Revenue; Probe Launched for Weekend Glitch. On Mar 1, a Google Ads outage hit US accounts, costing tens of K in lost revenue. Error messages and delays forced shifts in ad spend while Google fixed the glitch and launched an investigation. 👉 Adweek
🇺🇸 Microsoft Copilot Launches Showroom Ads & Dynamic Filters US 25%. In Mar 2025, Microsoft introduced new ad formats via Copilot to enhance product search. The showroom ads and dynamic filters boost relevance by 25% with pilots in English and plans for Spanish and Japanese. 👉 Search Engine Land
🇺🇸 Stripe's Valuation Jumps to $91.5B; No IPO Yet. Stripe hit a $91.5B valuation in early 2025, up 41% from $65B in 2024. It still trails its $95B 2021 peak and is staying private. 👉 AsiaTechDaily
🇬🇧 Shop Circle Raises $60M Series B to Boost AI Tools. In Feb 2025, UK firm Shop Circle secured $60M to expand its AI-powered B2B software. It plans to acquire Aiden to serve businesses of all sizes. 👉 Shop Circle
🇺🇸 Ordoro, Syncware Team Up to Boost SMB Ecommerce. On Mar 6 2025, US firms Ordoro and Syncware joined forces to simplify operations for small online sellers. Their integrated tech helps these businesses scale up. 👉 PYMNTS
🇺🇸 Temu Partners with Nuvei for Global Payments. In Feb 2025, Temu teamed with Canadian Nuvei to offer local payment options in Japan, Poland, Belgium, NL & Portugal. More countries will join later this year. 👉 PYMNTS
🇱🇹 Temu’s Baltic Delivery Boost via Unisend. Temu teamed up with Unisend in Mar '25 to boost last‑mile delivery in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. They use parcel lockers to speed orders and improve service. 👉 ChannelX
🇬🇧 Post Office & DPD Expand Global Delivery. Post Office and DPD extended services in Mar '25 after a trial at 300 outlets. They now cover 4.1K locations in the UK to ship abroad easily. 👉 ChannelX
🇺🇸 ShipBob Capital Launch: Flexible Funding Boost for US Merchants. ShipBob launched ShipBob Capital in Feb '25. It offers up to $250K in instant funds for US merchants to grow their businesses. 👉 Finance.yahoo.com
🇨🇳 FedEx launches New E-Comm Delivery Tool in China. FedEx started “Picture Proof of Delivery” in China on Mar 3 '25. It lets couriers snap photos as proof, speeding up residential deliveries. 👉 WebWire
🇬🇧 DHL eComm Opens New UK Hub, 1M Packages Sorted, 600 Jobs to grow. DHL eCommerce launched a new hub in the UK in Mar '25. It sorts over 1M packages daily and creates 600 jobs, boosting online retail. 👉 RetailNews.de
❤️ Your Opinion matters!
Share your thoughts on today’s email with just 1 click in the poll—it’s quick and helps us improve.
What do you think of this issue? |
For questions or more feedback, reply to this email.
Best,
MarketMaze team
Reply