PETALING JAYA (April 24): Lazada Malaysia says it achieved 100% year-on-year growth in sales last year and hopes to repeat the feat this year.

The leading Malaysian e-commerce platform previously had also reported over 100% growth in sales for 2016.

Lazada Malaysia chief executive officer Christophe Lejeune said the company's sales tripled in one day last year during Lazada's '11.11 Single's Day Online Revolution' flash sale, when gross merchandise value reached RM100 million.

Speaking at the company's Sixth Birthday Festival, Lejeune said Lazada Malaysia's mobile app is currently the most downloaded shopping app in the country with more than seven million downloads.

"With smartphone penetration standing at 70% in the third quarter of 2017, most Malaysians are now opting to use their smartphones as their primary shopping tool," he said.

"In order to continuously deliver a delightful shopping experience to our mobile customers, we are making online shopping even more personalised, social, and interactive," he added.

The online marketplace said its mobile app now includes new features like artificial intelligence to drive personalisation to differentiate customer shopping experiences according to their purchasing preferences.

Another feature is Chat Now, an instant messenger currently in beta, which allows customers to send inquiries and messages on products to selected sellers on Lazada.

Lazada Malaysia said its new E-Wallet allows customers to pay for their shopping in just one click, and provides refunds and discounts.

The company also offer a "follow" option whereby customers can track their favourite stores and receive information on new arrivals, promotions and discounts.

Another feature offered is an integrated QR Code 'scan to shop' scanner that takes customers directly to a promotion, product or sellers page within the app.

There is also a "shake-shake" function which allows users to shake their smartphone to receive promotions, discounts and exclusive deals on Lazada's app.

As part of the birthday festival, Lazada Malaysia said customers can expect discounts of up to 90% on millions of products.