28th August 2025 - 2 min read
Malaysians are proving to be among the world’s most active cross-border online shoppers, according to a study by Airwallex and Statista. The survey found that 94% of Malaysians are confident buying from international merchants, higher than the global average of 89%.
Around 72% shop internationally at least once a month, compared with 56% globally. Marketplaces such as Shopee, Lazada, and Taobao remain the top choices, while social commerce is gaining ground.
Influencer recommendations carry more weight in Malaysia than elsewhere, with 76% of shoppers saying they affect their purchases, compared with 53% globally.
Festive sales are another strong driver. About 93% of Malaysians plan their shopping around events such as Double Digit Sales, Hari Raya, Lunar New Year, and Black Friday, compared with 69% worldwide.
Digital wallets are Malaysians’ preferred method for cross-border purchases, chosen by 80% of respondents. Other options include bank transfers (53%), Buy Now Pay Later services (52%), debit cards (48%), and credit cards (36%).
Globally, digital wallets also lead but at a lower 59%, followed by credit cards (53%) and debit cards (33%).
Despite their enthusiasm, Malaysians remain cautious about practical concerns such as payment security, shipping costs, currency conversion, and hidden fees. More than 90% expect transparent pricing in local currency, visible security badges, and trusted payment options.
Nearly all respondents, 98%, said access to their preferred payment method and mobile-optimised checkout pages is critical to their online shopping experience.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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