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HOCK LOCK SIEW

Lazada layoffs suggest spinoff, IPO of Alibaba unit might not be on the horizon

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Benjamin Cher

Benjamin Cher

Published Thu, Jan 11, 2024 · 05:00 AM
    • Lazada is still a distant second to rival Sea subsidiary Shopee in most key South-east Asian markets.
    • Lazada is still a distant second to rival Sea subsidiary Shopee in most key South-east Asian markets. PHOTO: BT FILE

    NEWS on Jan 3 about layoffs ripping through Lazada may have come as a shock to many observers. But to some industry watchers, the cost-cutting measures might be a case of too little, too late.

    Alibaba-backed Lazada has fallen behind in the e-commerce race in South-east Asia. Former employees have lamented about its inability to reclaim its crown from Shopee, despite the Sea subsidiary undergoing a rough patch.

    Part of this has been due to disruptions in the regional e-commerce scene, not least by the emergence of TikTok Shop.

    Hock Lock SiewLazadaAlibabaTech layoffsLayoffs

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