Think breaking into Singapore’s booming e-commerce market is tough? Not if you know the right moves.
On 21 January 2025, industry leaders, digital marketing experts, and Malaysian SMEs gathered at Colony Star Boulevard KLCC to crack the code of scaling into Singapore. The verdict? Winning in Singapore isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy.
Missed the masterclass? Here’s your fast-track guide to making Singapore your next big market.
Singapore e-Commerce is a Goldmine. Are You Cashing In?
Singapore’s e-commerce market is projected to hit USD 11 billion by 2025. 45% of Singaporeans already shop from Southeast Asian brands every month. But here’s the catch: They won’t find you. You need to find them.
Marcus Lim (Milieu Insights) broke down what drives Singaporeans to buy:
- They hunt for value. Price beats brand loyalty—72% buy from brands that offer better deals.
- They want cheap shipping. 56% won’t pay more than SGD 5 for international delivery.
- They shop when the timing is right. Double-digit sales (10.10, 11.11) and festive periods (Chinese New Year, Christmas) drive the biggest buying moments.
Key takeaway: If your pricing, promotions, and shipping strategy aren’t Singaporean-proof, you’re missing out.
Digital Marketing is the Game-Changer (and Most Brands Are Doing It Wrong)
With 90% of Singaporeans glued to their smartphones, digital marketing isn’t optional—it’s the battlefield where brands win or lose.
Sam Zhang (CPXi Asia) broke it down:
- Where do Singaporeans find brands? 30% through search engines, 25% through social media ads.
- What’s the secret sauce? A full-funnel strategy—capture attention, nurture engagement, and close the sale.
- What’s working now? Smart re targeting (reminding customers about products they viewed) and hyper-personalised ads (showing the right promotion at the right time).
Key takeaway: If you’re not running targeted digital campaigns, your competitors are—and they’re stealing your customers.
Singaporeans Shop on Marketplaces. Are You There Yet?
A Shopify site alone won’t cut it. 84% of Singaporeans shop on Shopee and Lazada.
Yienyee Soh (EasyStore) shared what winning brands do differently:
- They optimize for marketplaces first. Your own website is important, but your sales will live or die on Shopee and Lazada.
- They localize everything. Pricing in SGD, payment methods, shipping speeds—every small detail matters.
- They run seasonal campaigns. The Great Singapore Sale, Black Friday, and festive promotions drive massive spikes in sales.
Key takeaway: If you’re not visible where Singaporeans shop, you don’t exist.
The Logistics Play: Get Your Products to Singapore Fast (or Lose the Sale)
Denise Wong (Ninja Van Cross-Border) revealed that fast fulfilment and smooth cross-border logistics are the biggest conversion boosters.
- Speed is king. Singaporeans expect fast, seamless delivery—slow shipping kills sales.
- Trust matters. A strong logistics network builds customer confidence and drives repeat purchases.
- Ninja Van simplifies the process. With full regional coverage and optimised cross-border solutions, businesses can deliver efficiently without the hassle.
Key takeaway: Logistics isn’t just a backend function—it’s a revenue driver.
Singapore Is Waiting. Are You Ready to Scale?
Singaporean consumers are ready to shop across borders—but only if you show up with the right strategy. Price smart. Market smarter. Deliver fast. That’s the formula for winning in Singapore.
Need a partner who knows the market inside out? Let’s get you started. Talk to us, here.
For partnership or collaboration, reach us at reg-xb-enquiry@ninjavan.co.
