• TikTok takes 75% of Tokopedia for $1.5B to relaunch shopping.
• The deal leverages logistics and payments infrastructure.
• This deal is seen sparking e-commerce consolidation across SEA.
After a two-month ban, TikTok Shop is plotting a strong comeback in Indonesia through a mega-merger deal with e-commerce giant Tokopedia.
Leveraging social
The surprise $1.5 billion investment, which gives TikTok a 75% stake in Tokopedia’s business, was seen by analysts as a strategic move to rapidly scale up its social commerce operations by leveraging Tokopedia’s nationwide infrastructure.
According to experts, the deal effectively hands TikTok operational control of Tokopedia at minimal cost. It also helps alleviate regulatory concerns in Indonesia over TikTok Shop’s past practices.
Utilizing Tokopedia’s network
By tapping Tokopedia’s logistics network and financial services, TikTok can aggressively grow its live shopping without costly subsidy battles.
Meanwhile, GoTo, Tokopedia’s parent firm, can focus investment on its on-demand and financial services businesses.
The merged entity is projected to capture 40% of Indonesia’s e-commerce market, surpassing current leader Shopee at 35%.
Trigger to next wave of consolidation?
This potential changing of the guard in 2024 underscores TikTok’s mounting influence on Southeast Asian online retail through innovations like shoppable streaming video.
With the opportunity window closing, TikTok’s localization approach via acquiring stakes in regional e-commerce champions could spark similar consolidation across Southeast Asia.
Deep-pocketed players like TikTok and Shopee would likely accelerate spending on next-gen features around live selling.
TikTok takes control of Tokopedia in $1.5B deal to relaunch Indonesian shopping
