by Jan Michael Carpo, Reporter
Shopee is raising the bar for online shopping in the Philippines with a series of innovations tailored for Gen Z shoppers.
Announced alongside its new brand ambassador, P-pop sensation BINI, these updates highlight the company’s commitment to revolutionizing e-commerce while empowering consumers and employees.
Shopee shopping for the next generation
With young Filipinos leading the surge in e-commerce, Shopee’s recent study, conducted with Kantar, reveals that Gen Z shoppers prioritize quality, authenticity, and secure transactions above all else. These insights have inspired the company’s latest features to make online shopping safer, more reliable, and more enjoyable.
Some of the key innovations that the company introduced recently include:
- COD unbox: Return on the spot — this feature allows Cash-On-Delivery (COD) customers to inspect their items upon delivery. If products are damaged or incorrect, they can return them immediately to the delivery rider, ensuring greater buyer confidence.
- Enhanced return & refund policy — the company now handles return and refund requests directly, eliminating the need for buyers to contact sellers. A new “change of mind” option allows customers to return items if they don’t like the fit or style, adding flexibility to the shopping experience.
- On-time delivery guarantee — with this program, late deliveries automatically earn users a discount voucher, reinforcing the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
“These updates are all about empowering Filipino Gen Zs to shop seamlessly and confidently,” said Huiyan Pan, the company’s regional marketing lead. “Through initiatives like Ang Dali-Dali sa Shopee, we ensure that our platform remains a trusted and delightful space for online shopping.”
BINI: A perfect match for the company’s vision
Shopee’s collaboration with BINI underscores the platform’s alignment with values that resonate with the Gen Z generation — authenticity, individuality, and social connectivity.
As Shopee’s newest brand ambassador, BINI will spearhead campaigns that celebrate the joy and empowerment that come with smart online shopping.
“We are thrilled to partner with BINI, whose dynamic and innovative spirit mirrors the company’s own,” said Pan. “They represent the boldness and creativity of this generation, inspiring users to confidently pursue their passions.”
Inside Shopee: A great place to work
While the company prioritizes delivering exceptional service to its customers, it also fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and purpose among its employees. Recently certified by Great Place to Work, Shopee has built a workplace that inspires innovation and empowers its team to thrive.
“At Shopee, we go above and beyond not just for our customers but also for our employees,” said Karen Perez, Head of Shopee Philippines’ HR Center of Excellence. “We foster a positive work culture where everyone feels valued and has growth opportunities.”
Employees like Gab from the Business Development team attest to Shopee’s openness to feedback and its focus on professional development. “The management team’s transparency and support inspire us to excel,” Gab said, highlighting how his role allows him to make a tangible impact on the company’s future.
The company also invests in continuous learning through initiatives like Leaders Lab, a quarterly upskilling program, and cross-functional projects that encourage collaboration across departments. These programs enable employees to tackle challenges, innovate, and create meaningful change in their roles.
In August last year, the company also partnered with the League of Provinces in the Philippines to help digitize MSMEs in the country. Shopee’s Head of Business Intelligence Martin Yu shared that their goal is to help upskill Filipino sellers through free training programs on how to sell their products online before onboarding them to the e-commerce platform.
“These are grassroots. These are people who don’t know how to do this yet. A lot of our programs are designed to teach. That means having workshops, getting them to list online and selling online,” said Yu. The program has since been piloted in the province of Quirino before being implemented in other rural areas.
Making a difference through e-commerce
Shopee’s dedication to excellence extends beyond the workplace to its mission of transforming the Filipino shopping experience.
By championing initiatives like improved delivery systems and robust return policies, Shopee not only meets the needs of its customers but also advances the broader goals of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) E-Commerce Philippines 2024-2028 Roadmap.
This dual focus on customers and employees has created a culture of pride and purpose within Shopee. “There is a sense of pride in wearing the orange of Shopee,” said Gab, who joined Shopee in 2019 and has since seen how the company’s management has changed into a leadership that is open to criticism and conveys the company’s mission.
“At Shopee, it’s not just about achieving our goals; it’s about making a lasting difference in the lives of the millions of Filipinos it serves,” Gab further stated.
With its innovative features, collaboration with BINI, and strong workplace culture, Shopee is not just an e-commerce leader but also a driver of positive change. By understanding the needs of today’s shoppers and empowering its team, Shopee continues to set new standards for the industry — one seamless, joyful transaction at a time.