Did you know that online shopping is considered therapy for Filipinos?
No wonder “add to cart” is not just a mere call to action button on an online shopping portal. It’s a way to pacify negative emotions.
In addition, the smartphone penetration in the country has reached 68% at the start of 2022, making it easier for consumers to purchase items using online shopping portals.
Online shopping in the Philippines has boomed, led by top players Lazada, Shopee, and ZALORA They offer various products like fashion, beauty, electronics, and home appliances. In fact, the Philippines’ eCommerce market sales reached $17 billion, with 73 million active online users.
Now that we’re done crunching numbers, let’s dive into the world of online shopping and explore the ten best online shopping portals in the Philippines.
1. Shopee
Shopee is an online shopping company headquartered in Singapore that offers various products. Sea Group, previously known as Garena, owns the company. It operates in Southeast Asian countries like Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Shopee has gained immense popularity because of its LSS-inducing TV advertisement jingle. But more than that, it’s now dubbed as one of the top e-commerce shops for mobile phone users in Southeast Asia.
It’s a shop that offers a broad selection of items — ranging from women’s fashion, health and beauty, electronics, and home living as one of the popular products. Many products in Shopee are way cheaper than in Lazada.
- Top tip to get the best deal: There are many coupons and discounts for valued customers, like free shipping, 10% off, and more — just look for valid codes, and you’re set to go.
- What to find: Everything. It’s all in there, including groceries
- Payment methods: Cash on delivery (COD), Shopee wallet, GCash, credit/debit cards, online banking (BPI, Metrobank, LANDBANK, and RCBC), ATM bank transfer, SPayLater installment plan, over-the-counter payments, and bills payments or remittance centers.
- Shop link: https://shopee.ph/
2. Lazada
Lazada is one of the pioneers in introducing online shopping in the Philippines. Originally based in Singapore, it has expanded in Southeast Asia. Rocket Internet founded Lazada in 2012, which is owned by Alibaba Group. Now, Lazada operates in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.
The online shop is home to all types of products. They offer fashion items, baby and children products, toys, outdoor gear, mobiles, laptops, cameras, kitchen items, gardening tools, appliances, and even furniture, among others.
The website has many shops that cater to all your needs. With its LazMall, you can find popular brands selling products online, including PowerMac Center, Tefal Philippines, Watsons, to name a few.
Lazada became very popular among shoppers because of its various sales, promos, freebies, and deals. It has many sale periods throughout the year, from 8.8 shopping festivals to payday sales and holiday deals.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Don’t miss coupon codes and vouchers. Keep an eye out for flash sales and other sale periods. And remember, buying from one seller saves you on shipping fees.
- What to find: It’s a huge marketplace for all your needs – food, baby products, appliances, furniture, laptops, computers, cameras, mobiles, digital accessories, fashion, bags, shoes, kitchen items, cooking needs, grocery items, and outdoor gear, to name a few.
- Payment methods: COD, credit/debit card, Maya, GCash, Lazada wallet, installment plans like LazPayLater
- Shop link: https://www.lazada.com.ph/
3. ZALORA
ZALORA is an online shopping portal in many Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan. This is the online shopping portal where fashionistas flock. Shoes, accessories, tops, dresses, pants, jumpsuits, bags, luxury items – you name it, they got it. Be in vogue, be in style.
One of the best assets ZALORA has that can distinguish it from other online shops is that it has a personal touch on the package you’ll receive. It uses its own packaging for shipments, with a tamper sticker with your name on it. This way, you feel the item is really dedicated to you.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Just like Lazada and Shopee, ZALORA offers lots of discounts as long as you have the code from your credit card issuer. For example, new customers using HSBC card can use the code HSBC2023 for 20% off on their first order, with no minimum amount required.
- What to find: Everything fashionable – bags, shoes, slip-ons, pants, dresses, skirts, tops, accessories, lingerie, and luxury items.
- Payment methods: COD, BPI installment, GrabPay, PayPal, GCash, Maya, and credit and debit cards.
- Shop link: https://www.zalora.com.ph
4. Shop SM
Shop SM is your go-to online shopping platform for all things SM. From fashion and electronics to beauty and home essentials, you’ll find it all at Shop SM. They offer a wide variety of products from popular SM brands and stores, ensuring that everything you purchase is 100% guaranteed authentic.
With over 1000+ brands, including Parisian, Adidas, Levi’s, Dyson, and more, Shop SM has got you covered. Experience the convenience and quality that only Shop SM can deliver.
Shop SM is one of the best online shopping portals in the Philippines due to its extensive product offerings, convenience, and connection to the well-known SM brand.
- Top tip to get the best deal: At Shop SM, every checkout earns SMAC points for exclusive member discounts, promos, freebies, and more. Always check the site for special offers, monthly sales, promotions, and daily discounts.
- What to find: Clothing, shoes, accessories for all genders, and other products from popular brands like Innisfree, Luxe Organix, and The Body Shop. You’ll also find home essentials like items for improvement, decoration, and organization.
- Payment methods: Credit and debit cards, cash on delivery, BPI online banking, and even e-wallets like GCash, Maya, and GrabPay are all accepted.
- Shop link: https://www.shopsm.com/
5. SHEIN
SHEIN, the fashion e-retailer launched in 2008, brings trendy style to everyone. They offer women’s wear, men’s apparel, kids’ clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, and more. With international shipping to 230+ countries, including the Philippines, SHEIN makes fashion accessible worldwide.
You will find a variety of items, from clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, and more. The prices are ridiculously unbelievable, with many items under ₱200. Plus, they offer sizes up to 4XL, making all items accessible to a diverse consumer base.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Always watch out for vouchers and discount codes on the website and mobile app. You can save as much as 85% during shopping festivals like the 9.9 Sale, and check the flash sale deals to score different items from accessories to clothing and home essentials.
- What to find: You’ll find mostly women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Payment methods: COD, Paypal, credit/debit cards, GCash, GrabPay, and GooglePay are accepted. - Shop link: https://ph.shein.com/
6. eBay Philippines
The Philippine local site of eBay was originally established for C2C or customer-to-customer sales. This means that sellers post their items on the website, and they’re the ones who talk with the customer. Every transaction happens between the seller and the customer.
Just like Lazada and Shopee, eBay Philippines offers several products, including clothes, fashion items, consumer electronics, health and beauty products, cameras, toys, accessories, and even jewelry.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Each month, there are voucher codes that can be used for promos and discounts. You can search for these codes online.
- What to find: Clothes, fashion trends, shoes, consumer electronics, mobile phones, toys, jewelry, and accessories.
- Payment methods: PayPal, credit/debit card, payment upon pickup
- Shop link: https://www.ebay.ph
7. Rustan’s
With a legacy since 1952, Rustan’s is a leading upscale and luxury retailer in the Philippines. It offers the finest international and local brands across categories like fashion, beauty, and home essentials.
If you’re looking for branded and premium items, this is the best store for you. So, don’t be surprised if you browse a ₱3,000 worth of candle or a ₱50,000 Merit-30 piece flatware set.
The best part about shopping here is the experience — the online store offers a carefully curated selection of products and its commitment to quality and customer service.
jewelry.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Rustan’s holds an annual anniversary sale in August, offering discounts on various products. Watch out for end of season sale, where you can score up to 50% off on selected items.
- What to find: Beauty products, home living, improvements, clothes, bags, shoes, and jewelry, to name a few.
- Payment methods: Rustan’s online store accepts multiple payment options like Visa, MasterCard, JCB, GCash, PayMaya, and PayPal. They even have “Buy Now Pay Later” and installment plans from select banks.
- Shop link: https://rustans.com/
8. Carousell
Carousell was founded in Singapore in 2012 and has grown to become one of the largest buy-and-sell apps. It expanded regionally and acquired OLX Philippines, and now operates under Carousell.ph with over 6 million listings.
The site is a game changer in the online shopping world. It’s actually a classifieds marketplace that makes selling very easy and convenient. You just need to snap or take a photo for sellers and chat with buyers.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Coupons and vouchers are always available online for discounts and promos. Also, it’s sometimes better to purchase slightly used items, they’re cheaper with the same quality as brand new items.
- What to find: Preloved everything – clothes, pants, shoes, appliances, gadgets, and accessories, to name a few.
Payment methods: COD, direct deposit or bank transfer - Shop link: https://www.carousell.ph/
9. Galleon PH
Originating in Manila, Galleon PH is a product of the minds of two young Filipino entrepreneurs. The online shop offers something that its competitors do not offer – it sells items that are not usually found in the Philippines.
If you want something you don’t seem to find anywhere in your area, try Galleon PH, It usually has anything under the sun, especially if the item is a limited edition or is just available overseas.
What sets it apart from other online shopping portals is that you can pay a single price that includes everything – shipping, customs, taxes, delivery – so you won’t be surprised when your order arrives.
- Top tip to get the best deal: Just like other shopping portals, Galleon PH offers many voucher codes for special discounts. Just search for the codes online and apply them when checking out your item.
- What to find: Items not usually found in the Philippines, such as imported products, brands that are not usually sold in the country, and even gadgets that are only available in other countries.
- Payment methods: Direct deposit via BDO, PayPal, Credit or debit card, Cash upon pickup, COD, and DragonPay
- Shop link: https://www.galleon.ph
10. Amazon
Amazon is one of the leading online stores in the United States, and Filipinos find it a bit intimidating to order from the website because of the shipping and customs fees. In 2022, Amazon announced the free shipping of qualified orders for at least $49.
Upon checking out the items, Amazon will show you a breakdown of the total cost, shipping, import fees, and handling charges in US dollars. To check if the items are eligible for shipping to the Philippines, you will see a label that says “FREE Shipping to the Philippines.”
- Top tip to get the best deal: Take advantage of the minimum orders to get free shipping and use your Citi Points to pay for your items, too. Always check the latest deals and participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales during holidays.
- What to find: You can find eligible items in various categories such as computers and accessories, books, beauty, Amazon fashion, home, and toys. However, there are also items like shoes, clothing, and home appliances that are eligible for shipping to the Philippines, but exclusive of taxes and customs fees.
- Payment methods: Credit and debit cards and Citi Points
- Shop link: https://www.amazon.com/
There you go! The top ten online shopping portals in the Philippines you should check for great deals and savings — make sure you bookmark this article to keep this list.
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below.
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