TikTok To Relaunch Online Shopping Services In This Country: Check Details

The collaboration between TikTok and Tokopedia is set to kick off with a pilot period.

TikTok will acquire a 75.01 per cent stake in Tokopedia.

In a strategic move, China's popular social media platform, TikTok, has entered into an agreement to acquire the majority of Indonesian tech conglomerate GoTo's e-commerce unit for a significant sum of $840 million. This move is seen as TikTok's initiative to relaunch its online shopping services in Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia.

As part of the deal, TikTok plans to make a total investment of $1.5 billion in Tokopedia, Indonesia's largest e-commerce platform, signalling a commitment to the flourishing e-commerce market in the region. TikTok faced challenges in Indonesia when it had to shut down its e-commerce service, TikTok Shop, following the country's ban on online shopping through social media platforms in September. The ban was implemented to safeguard the interests of smaller merchants and protect user data.

The collaboration between TikTok and Tokopedia is set to kick off with a pilot period, closely monitored and supervised by relevant regulators, as stated in a joint announcement by the two companies. GoTo CEO Patrick Walujo expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasising the creation of an Indonesian e-commerce powerhouse that combines Tokopedia's local prominence with TikTok's expansive market reach and technological capabilities.

Walujo remarked, "GoTo now sits on a much stronger foundation, and we expect this partnership to bring many benefits not just for e-commerce but for our on-demand services and fintech businesses as well." GoTo, known for its diverse business portfolio, includes services such as ride-hailing, delivery, and financial services.

As part of the acquisition, TikTok, a ByteDance-owned entity, will acquire a 75.01 per cent stake in Tokopedia and integrate TikTok Shop's Indonesian operations into the expanded Tokopedia entity. The deal is anticipated to be finalised by the first quarter of 2024. Additionally, TikTok will provide Tokopedia with a $1 billion promissory note, offering financial support for working capital needs.

TikTok's move aligns with its goal to tap into Indonesia's active social media user base, with over 270 million people, and convert its substantial user presence into a significant source of e-commerce revenue. While TikTok Shop is currently available in select countries, including the United States, Britain, and Singapore, the acquisition aims to strengthen TikTok's position in the global e-commerce landscape.

Indonesia's e-commerce sector is poised for substantial growth, projected to reach a value of about $160 billion by 2030, up from $62 billion in the current year, according to a report by Google, Temasek Holdings, and Bain & Co. Despite the promising prospects, GoTo's stock experienced a 13 per cent decline – its most significant percentage drop in six months – as some investors opted to take profits following earlier rallies based on expectations of the TikTok deal. Indonesian trade ministry officials have not provided comments on the development.