{
  "id": 17713796,
  "title": "Only 1 in 5 Malaysian online shoppers counts as ‘savvy’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/only-1-in-5-malaysian-online-shoppers-counts-as-savvy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/11/02/only-1-in-5-malaysian-online-shoppers-counts-as-savvy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study reveals that only one in five Malaysian online shoppers can be considered \"savvy\". Despite being familiar with flash sales, vouchers, free shipping and price comparisons across platforms, many consumers lack confidence and discernment in their online shopping habits. Conducted by Cube Asia, the 2026 eCommerce Savvy Shopper Report surveyed 6,000 Malaysian online shoppers aged 18 to 61. To be classified as savvy, shoppers must excel in four key areas: verification, value optimisation, confidence and protection, and digital fluency. Verification, checking product details, reviews, seller credentials and authenticity information, proved to be the weakest area among Malaysian shoppers. Only 20% of the respondents met the study's definition of a savvy shopper, below the regional average of 24%. While some local consumers were proficient in value comparison, digital tool usage and understanding buyer protection, they still struggled to verify the trustworthiness of sellers and products. Interestingly, savvy shoppers were not necessarily the most frugal. In fact, they spent 36% more each month than general shoppers and were more willing to pay for enhanced purchase protection. Savvy shoppers also tended to purchase from marketplace sections that feature official brands and verified sellers. The study suggests that confidence in the seller, product and protection may be just as important as price when making a purchase. However, it is essential to consider that this research was commissioned by Lazada, a marketplace with a vested interest in promoting trust in online shopping. The study's benchmarks were designed for this specific report and may not represent a universal measure of consumer sophistication. Nonetheless, the findings highlight that online shopping has evolved beyond finding the lowest price, and consumers must now consider what they are buying, who they are buying from, and what happens if something goes wrong.",
  "summary": "A new regional study suggests many are comfortable buying online, but fewer consistently verify sellers, compare value and understand the protection available to them.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Online renewal for 10-year Malaysian passports starts tomorrow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/online-renewal-for-10-year-malaysian-passports-starts-tomorrow",
        "published": "2026-11-01T12:07:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}