eTail Asia 2017 organized by Worldwide Business Research (WBR) was held in Singapore from 8 to 9 March 2017. The 2 day conference explored the most pressing challenges and opportunities in digital retail in the Asia-Pacific region, attended by senior eCommerce and multichannel directors of leading retailers.

 

This year’s theme had a greater pan-Asian focus and tracks were conducted in an interactive format, with participation and discussion to give attendees a new level of detail. More than 50 speakers and panelists spoke on pressing issues including cross-border expansion, mobile technology, user online shopping experience and current innovations in the mobile space.

 

E-commerce was a huge topic. “2017 offers a huge opportunity for e-commerce retailers seeking to sell more online. eCommerce revenue is growing rapidly across Asia, faster than any other market as mobile emerges as an important sales channel,” said Prachi Panda, conference director of eTail Asia. “The agenda for eTail Asia 2017, the most senior eCommerce event in the region, has been built on more than 80 research interviews with senior figures from across the industry. As a result, it’s focused completely on solving all of your most critical e-commerce challenges.”

 

It is said that 40 percent of ecommerce globally will happen on a marketplace by 2020. The rising income of consumers, coupled with changing demographics and understanding millennials needs and wants are challengers retailers are facing.

 

The conference placed a focus on the mobile space, from online shopping experience, to digital payments to social ecommerce.

 

“The biggest challenges facing e-commerce brands are the ability to stand out from the competition and understanding the needs and wants of the important target audience. While marketing in APAC will continue to grow in complexity, this just provides more opportunities to drive greater customer engagement and revenue, whether it is digitally or through in-store.” Jose de Cabo, co-founder at Olapic.

 

A special addition to this year’s eTail Asia conference is the launch of the inaugural iPrice E-Commerce Merchant Awards (iEMA) 2016 in partnership with iPrice Group. The iEMA 2016 was created to recognize and honor excellence in Southeast Asia’s booming e-commerce sector with the help of online consumers. These awards are voted and judged by consumers.