The holiday shopping season is already in full swing. Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) shares insights from its latest survey on this year’s festive shopping season in the Asia Pacific.
Conducted in October 2024, the survey gathered responses from 200 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and 300 consumers across 12 APAC markets, exploring their expectations, purchasing motivations, and concerns for the festive season, while identifying key trends shaping customer behaviour during this time.
According to the findings, 70 per cent of SMEs expect year-on-year sales growth this festive season, with nearly 80 per cent forecasting this growth in sales from within Asia, especially from Southeast Asia. This aligns with broader market trends, as Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market grew in double digits in 2024, driven by increased digital adoption and cross-border trade. Additionally, intra-Asia trade continues its robust expansion, with projections indicating it will surpass $13.5 trillion by 2030.
Survey findings reveal that SMEs consider reliable shipping, competitive pricing, and digital tools crucial for meeting international shipping needs during this busy period, with 48 per cent of e-merchants seeking additional support from logistics providers to manage peak volumes.
The survey reveals key growth opportunities for SMEs:
- Over half (57 per cent) of consumers prefer shopping on e-commerce platforms, with 70 per cent motivated by substantial festive discounts and promotions.
- Free delivery continues to play a crucial role in shaping the shopping experience and driving purchases among consumers. Equally, consumers expect their orders to arrive within two to three business days, with convenient delivery options.
- Consumers want to see businesses develop more sustainable online shopping practices and are willing to pay a premium for sustainable packaging when purchasing gifts, reinforcing the opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves in the crowded e-commerce marketplaces by offering sustainable options.
“In the Asia Pacific region, the gifting season continues in the months leading up to Christmas through to Lunar New Year,” says Kawal Preet, President, Asia Pacific, FedEx.
“As cross-border e-commerce continues to surge, e-tailers—particularly small and medium-sized businesses are gearing up to maximise sales this festive season.
Through our extensive network and smart, intuitive digital solutions, we empower these businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences, streamline holiday shipping, and thrive in this competitive landscape.”
About the Survey
This online survey was conducted by Milieu Insight in October 2024 across 12 Asia Pacific markets including Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 200 small and medium businesses (SMEs) engaged in cross-border e-commerce alongside 300 consumers who actively shop online were polled.
For more information on FedEx, visit here