New cashback service launches in Malaysia

Shopback, an online Cashback platform that connects both merchants and consumers with a reward system, has made its way to Malaysia.As part of its big awareness push, Shopback has partnered up with AirAsia BIG, to reward its patrons with BIG Points. Shoppers not only get to enjoy the goodness of cashback, but also get to redeem free AirAsia flights with their BIG Points.Shoppers who sign up now via www.shopback.my/airasiabig will also get an exclusive treat of 250 bonus BIG Points, as well as 1 BIG Point for every RM2 spend. The BIG Points earned can be redeemed for any free AirAsia flights across 100 destinations in AirAsia’s network. BIG member will also get to enjoy 24-hour priority booking for major AirAsia flight sales.“In partnering ShopBack, AirAsia BIG connects 14 million BIG members with a vast range of partners from airline, hotels, retail, banking and even entertainment. We make online shopping even more exciting for our members. By using your BIG Points, you are getting more value and rewards”, said Alice Goh, CEO of AirAsia BIG.Apart from having AirAsia BIG as a program partner, ShopBack has ties with over 500 merchants on its site till date. These merchants include the likes of Zalora, Groupon, Lazada, Qoo10, Taobao, ASOS, Foodpanda, eBay and Agoda.ShopBack thrives on the online Cashback mechanism that is relatively new to Southeast Asia, but successful in the United States. The ecommerce start-up takes part of the commission earned from the merchants for each successful transaction, and recycles it as Cashback to the consumers - effectively paying shoppers to shop. The savings gained from shopping through ShopBack can be cashed out easily as well, through a Cashback transfer to bank account or PayPal – as per shoppers' preference."ShopBack runs on a viable business model that rewards all parties involved," Joel Leong, regional head, partnerships of ShopBack said. "With ecommerce in the Southeast Asia growing 40% year-on-year, we are committed to extend and expand our suite of services to benefit all consumers in the region."