Pandemic or not, it seems like year-end shopping is not taking a backseat. Instead, there is a significant shift towards online shopping. Reports show that spending habits within Southeast Asia have transformed dramatically, with online shopping becoming a major channel for fulfilling retail needs.

For Malaysia specifically, data shows that online shopping has accelerated by 24.7% since the pandemic. With that, it’s easy to predict that most of 2020’s year-end shopping will occur virtually. Here are some ways you can get your online shopping game on without breaking a sweat.

Plan Your Budget

It’s always necessary to have a spending budget in mind before embarking on any shopping spree. The temptation to “add to cart” may be even stronger when it’s virtual, so hold your horses and have a budget in place so you can safely tell everyone you’re #adulting. That’s easily achievable these days — there are many apps that can help you do the job, some even created specifically for Malaysians.

Scope Out Deals 

Bookmark your favourite retailer ahead of time and review their upcoming deals. E-commerce giants such as Lazada and Shopee have monthly deals and super blow outs to attract users to buy. Smart online shopping is ‘adding to cart’ and patiently waiting for the optimal opportune time to check out the items at its lowest prices.

Furthermore, there’s such a thing as ‘wise shopping’. When you take a glance at what’s inside your cart, checking out all the items and seeing the subtotal, including delivery fees, may just deter you from click ‘buy now’ on things you absolutely don’t need.

Do Your Homework

As fun as online shopping may be, there are potential risks as well. Locally, there has been a surge of online scams. Be mindful of cybercrime and equip yourself with appropriate antivirus software so that you don’t end up becoming a victim instead of enjoying the spoils of your shopping spree. Also, be sure to check out the reviews and ratings for the product you intend to buy to ensure it’s genuine and safe to purchase. Read all the fine print before you seal the deal.