Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. Its factories pay the price

Pinduoduo’s arrival has thrilled bargain hunters, but direct shipments from China are pricing out local firms and choking landfills

In hindsight, it was only a matter of time before Esha Yusof joined the growing ranks of Malaysian shoppers being drawn to Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo.

Esha is a relative newcomer. She signed up in July, more than half a year after the platform launched in Malaysia – and has been smitten with it ever since.

Rock-bottom prices, a vast range of products and seamless payments through a popular local e-wallet make it easy for the 32-year-old to spend an average of 500 ringgit (US$122) a month on everything from home decor and kitchen supplies to fashion and stationery.

“Most items are much cheaper than in the Malaysian market. It’s hard to compare because they come directly from factories or warehouses in China,” said Esha, who works for a competing e-commerce site.