Online platforms to feature more locally-made products

CEBU, Philippines —  More local brands will make their presence in the online platforms, as consumers are now shifting shopping preferences to homegrown labels.

A Market Intelligence Digest, an online publication of the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), cited the Localism Pillar highlighting how consumers are continuing to strive to choose homegrown brands and those that support their communities.

“Online platforms will continue to be launched that house only regional or national brands rather than those from overseas or neighboring countries,” it said.

The digest also urged global brands to collaborate with such homegrown brands and offer them support to aid their development.

The report said smaller and less established brands that may not have an online presence are impacted as the coronavirus heavily affect where people can buy from.

In order to assist these smaller companies, it said larger brands are offering support from giving them free advertising to offering them tools and information needed to set up ecommerce sites.

“This is enabling consumers to shop with brands that they choose rather than only those which are available which can make them feel like they are making a difference to their local communities,” it added.

A web portal enabling in South Africa for instance, allows consumers to buy locally produced face shields and visors; BRYG, an online sales platform for microbreweries to help them sell their products directly to consumers; and an online sales campaign launched by Indonesian online marketplace Blibli to support local Indonesian products.

Likewise, in Saudi Arabia, Visa has collaborated with the Social Development Bank (SDB) on a “Where You Shop Matters” initiative.

The report said such initiative aims to encourage consumers to shop with local businesses in the Kingdom, as well as champion and support entrepreneurs.

It comes after the digital payment giant found that 67 percent of small businesses had noticed a decline in average consumer spending during coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Where You Shop Matters” offers small businesses access to Visa Small Business Hub, a platform that provides them with the tools and resources needed to start, run, and develop a new business.

It also features leading merchants from the Kingdom that “embody small business passion and entrepreneurial spirit,” the report added.