eBay GM to highlight global market opportunities at Retail Asia Summit

Vidmay Naini, eBay’s general manager for global emerging markets, shares insights on digital marketplaces and their evolving role in retail.

Weeks away from the Retail Asia Summit to be staged in Singapore, it has been confirmed that eBay General Manager for Global Emerging Markets Vidmay Naini will be addressing this highly anticipated industry event.

Since retail has been at the forefront of the business transformation that the digital revolution has brought about, what better voice to be heard at the summit than that of one of the pioneering forces of e-commerce who brings over two decades of experience to the table.

“My team and I ensure sellers from over 150 countries connect to eBay’s big three markets: the US, UK, and Germany. Essentially, we bridge markets and enable global trade,” Naini, who has been based in Singapore the last two years, told Retail Asia magazine.

Naini said he intends to dive deep into the role of digital marketplaces and their expansive ecosystem at the Singapore summit.

“The opportunities that digital spaces provide today are unprecedented. Especially in Southeast Asia, where SMBs and SMEs are thriving, platforms like eBay can be game-changers,” he said.

He also promised to showcase success stories, noting how sellers leveraged digital platforms to achieve global reach.

But the eBay executive warned that the digital transition, whilst filled with opportunities, also presents unique challenges.

“Digitalising your retail business requires guidance. From selecting the right products and building effective catalogs to understanding customers from diverse markets, the journey can be daunting,” he said.

He stressed that with platforms like eBay, retailers receive the necessary support to navigate these challenges. During the summit, Naini plans to delve into strategies that businesses can employ to maximise their digital potential.

Retail Asia asked him what he hopes attendees will take away from his session, to which he replied: “Firstly, an understanding of the magnitude of opportunity that cross-border trade on online platforms presents.

“Secondly, the realisation that businesses of all sizes, from one-person ventures to large enterprises, can achieve global reach through platforms like ours,” he added quickly.

The Retail Asia Summit promises to be an enlightening event, with industry leaders like Naini shedding light on the intricacies of today’s retail landscape. As Naini aptly puts it, “Every challenge is an opportunity. With platforms like eBay, these opportunities can be harnessed on a global scale."

Retailers and industry insiders keen on deep-diving into the evolving realm of retail can catch Naini and other leaders at the Retail Asia Summit on 16 November at the Furama City Centre in Singapore. To join this gathering of the industry’s best minds, sign up at retailasia.com.