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Singapore’s e-commerce landscape is thriving. Shopify is at the forefront of this growth. Two brands that stand out are Cheak and J&Co, both of which have used Shopify’s powerful tools to achieve remarkable success. By exploring their journeys, we can uncover valuable ideas that can help other businesses grow and thrive.
Cheak: Shopify Plus for Growth
Cheak, formerly known as butter, was created during the COVID-19 pandemic by Tiffany Chng and Olivia Ziyi Yiong. The brand quickly gained traction due to its focus on high-quality activewear designed specifically for Asian body types. As the brand merged with Love, Bonito, it needed to scale operations to meet the demands of a larger market.
Challenges Faced
Cheak’s early success relied entirely on online sales, which accounted for 100% of its revenue. However, as the brand grew, it faced several challenges:
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Its existing Shopify store struggled to handle the increased traffic and sales volume as part of the larger Love, Bonito group.
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Launching new products was a time-consuming process, often taking up to a week to roll out, which delayed market entry and reduced competitiveness.
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It faced difficulties in offering bundled products and discounts, which are crucial for driving sales and improving customer value.
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It had ambitions to expand beyond Singapore, but its online store lacked the functionality needed to support international operations.
Implemented Solutions
To overcome these challenges, Cheak made a strategic decision to upgrade to Shopify Plus. This move provided the brand with several key advantages:
1. Scalability
Shopify Plus offered a robust infrastructure capable of supporting Cheak’s growing traffic and sales, ensuring smooth operations even during peak times.
2. Streamlined Product Launches
With Shopify LaunchPad, Cheak was able to reduce the time required to launch new products from one week to just two days. This speed allowed the brand to respond quickly to market trends and customer demand.
3. Automated Workflows
Shopify Scripts and Shopify Flow enabled Cheak to automate tasks such as discount application and product bundling. It saved time and reduced the potential for human error, leading to more efficient operations.
4. Global Expansion
Shopify Plus’s expansion store feature allowed Cheak to easily create localized versions of their store for markets in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. This ensured that each market received a personalized shopping experience, boosting customer satisfaction and sales.
Also Read- Understand Shopify PSG grant in 2024
Achieved Results
The benefits of upgrading to Shopify Plus were quickly apparent:
1. Faster Product Launches
Cheak reduced its product launch time by over 70%, allowing the brand to bring new products to market more frequently and stay ahead of competitors.
2. Improved Customer Conversion
By automating discounts and bundling, Cheak was able to offer more attractive deals to customers, increasing conversion rates and boosting overall sales.
3. Successful International Expansion
The ability to launch localized stores in multiple countries helped Cheak establish a strong international presence, with huge growth in markets like Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Key Takeaways
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As your business expands, your e-commerce platform must be able to handle increased traffic and sales without compromising performance.
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Automating repetitive tasks saves time and improves accuracy, leading to a better customer experience.
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To succeed in new markets, it’s crucial to offer a shopping experience that caters to the specific needs and preferences of local customers.
Cheak’s journey illustrates the importance of choosing a scalable e-commerce platform like Shopify Plus that can support your growth ambitions. By streamlining operations and focusing on customer needs, Cheak has positioned itself as a leading activewear brand in the region.
J&Co: Internationalization with Localization
J&Co began as a small hobby but quickly evolved into a global brand known for its handmade, customized jewelry. The company has achieved impressive growth, shipping up to 10,000 orders per month and expanding its wholesale business. As J&Co looked to enter new international markets, the brand recognized the need for a localized approach to build trust with customers in different regions.
Challenges Faced
As J&Co expanded, it encountered several challenges that needed to be addressed to sustain its growth:
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To build trust with international customers, it needed to offer its website in multiple languages and currencies.
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Without localization, the brand risks alienating potential customers in new markets.
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Its growing network of international wholesalers required a system that could handle multi-tier discounts and dynamic pricing, ensuring that all partners received appropriate pricing based on their volume and location.
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As the brand scaled, managing operations across multiple markets became increasingly complex. J&Co needed tools to simplify and streamline these processes.
Implemented Solutions
To address these challenges, J&Co upgraded to Shopify Plus, which provided the following solutions:
1. Multi-Language Support
Shopify Plus allows for up to 20 languages, enabling J&Co to offer a localized shopping experience in each target market. This feature was critical in building customer trust and increasing conversion rates.
2. Currency Conversion
By integrating currency converters, J&Co made it easy for customers to shop in their local currencies, reducing friction in the purchase process and increasing sales.
3. Automated Discounts
Shopify Scripts allowed J&Co to automate its discount strategies, offering dynamic pricing and multi-tier wholesale discounts. This automation ensured that all customers and wholesalers received appropriate pricing, fostering long-term relationships.
4. Streamlined Campaigns
The brand used Shopify Plus to reduce the time spent on preparing and launching marketing campaigns, allowing them to focus more on strategic growth initiatives.
Also Read- What Can You Get From Shopify PSG Grant?
Achieved Results
The implementation of these solutions led to improvements for J&Co:
1. Increased Wholesale Sales
The ability to offer personalized discounts and dynamic pricing helped J&Co boost its wholesale sales, contributing to an 800% revenue growth over five years.
2. Improved Customer Experience
Localization features and currency conversion improved the shopping experience for international customers, leading to higher conversion rates and increased customer loyalty.
3. Operational Efficiency
By automating key processes, J&Co was able to manage its growing operations more efficiently, allowing the brand to focus on expansion rather than administrative tasks.
Key Takeaways
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Offering your website in multiple languages and currencies is essential for building trust with international customers and driving sales in new markets.
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offering personalized discounts and pricing, you can create a more personalized shopping experience that resonates with customers and encourages repeat business.
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Automating processes like discount management and campaign preparation can save time and reduce errors, allowing your business to scale.
J&Co’s success story highlights the importance of localization and personalization in global e-commerce. By using Shopify Plus’s powerful features, J&Co has been able to expand its international footprint and build a loyal customer base across multiple markets.
Also Read- How To Get Shopify PSG Grant?
Final Thoughts
The success of Cheak and J&Co offers valuable lessons for Shopify merchants in Singapore and beyond. These brands have used Shopify Plus’s features to overcome challenges, streamline operations, and expand their reach. Whether you’re a small business or a well-established brand, adopting similar strategies can help you achieve growth and success. By learning from these leading Shopify brands, you can set your own business on the path to success.
