Clothes and Kpop: Singaporean overseas purchases spikes 84% by June 2021

One in two Singaporeans spends an average of $50 to $150 per online transaction.

Singapore's online overseas transactions spiked by 84% from July 2020 to June 2021 from six months previous.

This is according to transactions recorded by YouTrip, a multi-currency wallet, from Singaporean users.

Three in five Singaporeans purchase goods overseas at least once a month, whilst one in two spend an average of $50 to $150 per transaction.

China’s Taobao topped the list of international online marketplaces frequented by Singaporeans, followed by Amazon, Alibaba, iHerb, and eBay. Weverse Shop, which sells merchandise from Kpop idols such as BTS and GFRIEND, was sixth on the list.

Transactions for Taobao and Alibaba more than doubled, at 131% and 120%, respectively; whilst eBay transactions saw a 98% increase.

The top categories for overseas shopping were clothing and footwear, followed by consumer electronics and household items.

YouTrip data also showed an increase in sales in health supplement and cycling retailers such as iHerb, Chemist Warehouse, and Evans Cycles.

The company expects Singaporeans to continue to shop overseas after border restrictions ease.

“We’re expecting this overseas spending behaviour to persist when travel resumes, as echoed by nine in 10 of our users who have indicated their preference to continue shopping from foreign retailers after borders reopen. This high consumer demand positions Singapore as a key market for international retailers,” said YouTrip Co-founder and CEO Caecilia Chu.

Follow the link for more news on

YouTrip

e-commerce

If you've been wondering whether SBR could work for your company — yes, probably.

A lot of the companies we partner with started as readers. They'd been following our coverage for a while, saw their own customers and competitors in it, and eventually asked the obvious question: could we do something with you? The answer is usually yes. The shape of it depends on what you're trying to do.

The options are broader than most people assume — thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. Some partners use one channel; most use a mix. We figure out the right combination by starting with your brief, not with our rate card.

So if the question has been on your mind, here's the easy way to ask it.

We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Book a meeting

| Or download the media kit (PDF)

240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached

7 markets across Southeast Asia