The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Carousell, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing mobile classifieds apps, was launched in the Philippines recently with a thought-provoking discussion on preloved items going mobile in Asia-Pacific countries.
Using the latest technology to make selling as simple as snapping a picture, and buying as simple as chatting, Carousell offers an intuitive and hassle-free experience to buying and selling preloved products on mobile. Smartphone users in the country—40 million and increasing—will now be able to quickly declutter their living spaces and find new homes for things they no longer need.
“The Philippines is one of the hottest mobile commerce markets in Southeast Asia, due to a young and digitally savvy population. As we consume more, there is also a pressing need to get rid of things we no longer have use for, many of which are still in good condition,” Carousell co-founder and President Marcus Tan said.
“Carousell helps us give things we no longer need, a new lease on life with people who would treasure them more. This is a much more rewarding and sustainable approach to buying and selling, compared to excessive consumption. At the same time, scrolling through our marketplace is like rummaging through a box of surprises,” he added.
“There’s the thrill of discovering something that is rare and unique, from vintage cameras from the 1920s to a painting by local artist Oscar Zalameda. Buying and selling has never been easier or more exciting,” Tan said.
Since the Carousell app first landed in the Philippines App Store and Google Play Store in May, the marketplace has seen strong growth, with 110-percent MoM growth in listings and 240-percent MoM growth in transactions as of the third quarter of 2016.
The Philippines is Carousell’s fastest market to reach the half-a-million-listings milestone, doing so in fewer than six months. This testifies to Carousell’s effectiveness in helping solve a pain point in the country.
Angela Ronquillo, a Filipina who sells her preloved clothes with suggested fashion styling and tips, said: “Carousell has amazed me with how easy it has been to buy and sell things. There were some items that I was prepared to give away, which turned out to be easily sold on Carousell. The community has been really great and responsive.”
Founded by Tan, Quek Siu Rui and Lucas Ngoo in Singapore, Carousell started as a solution to address the frustration they faced in trying to sell their items on forums and desktop sites. Since then, it has expanded into more than 14 cities, including Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Some of the most popular categories include fashion, electronics, lifestyle gadgets, books, toys and furniture.
Carousell is free to use and available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store. There’s also a desktop version available at ph.carousell.com.