ACE Magazine: Issue 2 / 2016 ACE Magazine: Issue 2 / 2016 | Page 42

ASEAN COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS TRENDSETTER R etailers have been hit with massive slowdown at all fronts. High cost, sagging sales and fierce e-commerce competition have caused loads of retailers to either ship out or close down. With cautious consumers not spending much at brick and mortar stores – not to mention the spiraling rental cost – one really wonders how retailers are able to survive the onslaught of global uncertainties. I’m sure you read the recent news of Alibaba buying into Lazada. The world’s largest online retailer is ever expanding its empire to sell more of its goods and services directly to consumers through its global chain of suppliers. 40 How Retailers Are Able to Up Their Sales During Tough Times? ASEAN COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS | ISSUE 2 : 2016 BY HANZO NG