Bangkok--14 May--Spark Communications
Echoing Bank of Thailand’s debit card usage initiative to top online retail category during first three months of discount campaign
Rakuten TARAD.com, one of Thailand’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, has recorded an impressive120%increase in debit card use since the introduction of a debit card payment promotion in January 2013.
During the campaign, consumers receive a 10% discount when they spend over THB 1,000 with their Visa debit cards for any purchase made at Rakuten TARAD.com’s e-commerce mall. This promotion is also available at other online merchants in Thailand, but Rakuten TARAD.com was the top recorded sales performer in the retail category.
Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, Founder and Managing Director of Rakuten TARAD.com, said: “Convenience is very important to consumers when shopping online, and this applies to how people browse, select and pay for the goods they want. Thailand has over 40 million debit card holders but only 1% are using debit cards for purchases. Thus, it is clear that many are not aware that they can use theirdebit cards to shop online. This campaign has increased awareness of debit card acceptance and proved to be very popular with shoppers. This promotion also aligns with Bank of Thailand’s initiatives to encourage debit card use to pay for products and services. We are very pleased that so many buyers have chosen to make their purchases at Rakuten TARAD.com.”
When shopping at Rakuten TARAD.com, customers have a range of options to pay for their goods conveniently. In addition to using debit cards, customers can also chooseto pay for their purchases securely via Visa, Mastercard or Paypal. Rakuten TARAD.com also offers PaySbuy as an alternate trusted way to make online purchases. Rakuten TARAD.com’s customers can also purchase and pay for their purchases safely through mPay while on-the-go.
Customers are also able to make payments viaDirect Debit, at an ATM,by Internet or telephonebanking, or at a bank branch. For those wishing to pay in person, there are also 7,000 service centers nationwide that allow customers to pay by Counter Service. This option is available at the many branches of Robinsons, 7-11, The Mall Group, Se-Ed book center, Jusco, Star Mart, and Jet’s Jiffy stores.
E-commerce in Thailand has seen considerable growth, and earlier this year Rakuten released insights from their E-commerce Index, an independent global survey into shopping trends. The survey found that 47.5%of Thais made their first online purchase in the last two years, with health and beauty products, fashion items and watches being the most popular purchases. Thailand was also found to be most likely to share recommended purchases on social media sites, with 64.5% of shoppers surveyed expressing such intention. Rakuten TARAD.com has also noticed a change in customer demographics with buyers aged 40 years and above recording a 100% increase between 2011 and 2012.
Pawoot continued: “Customers are looking for new and convenient ways to shop and we have to ensure they have a rewarding experience. As online shopping becomes more popular in Thailand we need to make sure online payments are secure, smooth and hassle-free. This promotion has helped build customer’s confidence in trying new methodsto pay for their goods.”
About Rakuten, Inc.
Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ:4755), is one of the world’s leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of consumer- and business-focused services including e-commerce, e-reading, travel, banking, securities, credit card, e-money, portal and media, online marketing and professional sports. Selected by Forbes as 7th among the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2012, Rakuten is expanding globally and currently has operations throughout Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://global.rakuten.com/corp/.
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