January, 17, 2023
Animal SOS Sri Lanka is the latest non-profit organization to join the Daraz Donates platform. Daraz launched this multi-charity donation platform on the Daraz app and website in August 2022. With the addition of Animal SOS, the Daraz Donates platform now hosts seven (7) charitable organizations working to create, fund, and implement solutions to some of Sri Lanka’s most urgent challenges and pressing community issues.
Commenting on the partnership, Kim Cooling, Founder of Animal SOS Sri Lanka said, “We are thankful to Daraz for working in partnership with Animal SOS Sri Lanka, the largest sanctuary and most active rescue organisation in Sri Lanka. Being a no-kill organisation that fights to save the lives of Sri Lanka's sick and injured street dogs and cats 365 days a year, it's important that Sri Lankan organizations such as Daraz are behind our efforts. Every company partnership and sponsorship help us to save lives, continue our work and pave a better future for all living beings in Sri Lanka. There is no greater gift than the gift of life.”
Daraz Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of Daraz that covers donations, community upliftment initiatives and volunteering programmes across South Asia. Within the ambit of Daraz Cares, Daraz Donates connects users of the platform to multiple trusted charities and non-profit organizations that focus on assisting vulnerable communities affected by social, economic, and environmental challenges in the local landscape. Since its official launch in August 2022, Daraz Donates has gained nationwide popularity and raised funds in excess of USD 1000 by year-end.
Commenting about her experience as a donor on the platform, Indhuja Jeyanathan from X said, “Donating through Daraz Donates on the Daraz app is simple and convenient. Given that Daraz is a reputed entity in the country, I have the additional assurance that my donations are channeled toward meaningful causes. Most importantly, it provides an opportunity to donate to multiple causes on a single platform which makes it even more convenient to be a part of a range of community concerns within one single app.”
Sharing her views on the platform Head of Corporate Affairs, Public Policy and ESG at Daraz Sri Lanka Anishka De Zylva said, “Daraz Donates is an effective and transformative platform for local and global non-profit organisations operating in the country. In addition to providing non-profits with the tools, technology, and training they need to raise funds online, the platform also helps raise awareness of their causes among millions of users visiting the Daraz app daily. To ensure the credibility of the organisations registered on the platform, Daraz developed a thorough due diligence process that is applied to every entity that registers to raise funds through the Daraz Donates platform.”
Child Action Lanka, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka, LEADS Sri Lanka, Samastha Lanka Kidney Patients Association, The Sunshine Charity, SOS Children's Village Sri Lanka and Animal SOS Sri Lanka are the non-profit organisations registered on the Daraz Donates platform. Those who wish to be a part of the change that technology is driving in the communities of Sri Lanka can now donate to a cause they are most passionate about via https://www.daraz.lk/donation/
December, 21, 2022
Daraz, the largest e-commerce platform in Sri Lanka, recently partnered up with the country’s leading fragrance, skincare and cosmetics retailers Exclusive Lines. The partnership will enable Daraz customers to have their favorite and 100% authentic international beauty brands delivered to their doorstep, while further enriching the assortment of more than 5mn products already made available on the shopping site.
Commenting on the collaboration, Managing Director of Daraz Sri Lanka, Rakhil Fernando said, “We’re excited for this partnership which enhances our existing portfolio and enables Daraz users across the island to access the world’s most sought-after cosmetics and personal care products from the convenience of their homes. eCommerce is a great equalizer that bridges rural-urban divides and these collaborations are pivotal to enable even the most niche brands and retailers to reach their discerning client bases dispersed across the island cost effectively, while providing easy access and wider choices to meet the fast-evolving demands and desires of consumers. Daraz will continue to build on its product portfolios and will place greater focus on strengthening its offering in fast growing categories such as beauty and wellbeing, fashion, cosmetics and skincare in the months to come.”
Exclusive Lines has been in the fragrance, cosmetics and skincare business in Sri Lanka for over 20 years and is the authorized local retailer for global brands like Montblanc, Hermes, MAC, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Clinique, and Elizabeth Arden amongst many other renowned international brands.
Founded in 2015, Daraz is South Asia’s leading e-commerce platform in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar. It empowers more than 100,000 active sellers with world-class marketplace technology to reach the fast-growing consumer class in a region of 500 million people. Through Daraz Express and Daraz Pay, it operates the most efficient and digitalised logistics and payments infrastructure in its markets. Download the Daraz mobile App, Daraz’s vision is to be a champion of South Asia serving 50 million consumers and businesses by 2030.
December, 13, 2022
A testimony to its commitment to further increasing its digital payment footprint in Sri Lanka, Daraz, the leading online marketplace in Sri Lanka, recently became the country’s first e-Commerce platform to enable LANKAQR-based transactions in Sri Lanka.
LANKAQR is an initiative by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka that enables consumers to make payments to merchants and service providers directly from their bank account by scanning a QR code with their mobile device.
Accordingly, Sri Lankan cricket fans can now purchase Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 tickets via Daraz using LANKAQR-based payments. Daraz is the ‘League Partner’ and ‘Exclusive Ticketing Partner’ of the third edition of LPL Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in Sri Lanka. The first LPL ticket purchase via LANKAQR was made by Mr. D. Kumaratunge, Assistant Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
In an effort to further promote the usage of LANKAQR for LPL ticket purchases, an exclusive limited-time offer of 5% discount is made available with a maximum discount value of Rs. 750 for customers paying via LANKAQR through any certified mobile payment app. ComBank Q+ customers get an additional 5% cashback with a maximum discount value of Rs. 1,000 when purchasing LPL tickets.
In addition to online ticket sales on Daraz, offline tickets are made available at the following locations where users can pay through LANKAQR:
Kandy– Abeetha Ground, Pallekale on all match days, Kandy City Center on selected days
Colombo – Sri Lanka Cricket & P.D Sirisena Grounds, Maligawatte on all Colombo match days.
Daraz partnered with Commercial Bank of Ceylon, the acquiring bank of LANKAQR for Daraz, to process payment transactions through its state-of-the-art Q+ QR-based application.
Allowing users the convenience of paying through any preferred network, Daraz accepts LANKAQR payments via LankaPay, Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay networks through a total of over 24 mobile applications by over 21 financial institutions.
To encourage the shift towards a less-cash society while increasing financial inclusion in Sri Lanka, Daraz will enable LANKAQR payments at the point of delivery for cash on delivery orders as the next phase of the collaboration.
Image Caption : Left to Right: Inshaf Nawas - Junior Key Account Manager, Glen Isaac - Head of Digital goods, Dulika Jayamanne - Head of Payments & Partnerships, D. Kumaratunge - Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Gayan Kalugamage - Senior Manager, Digital Payments & Michael Lee - Senior Advisor, Ant Financial Services Group (Alipay)
December, 9, 2022
It's the most joyous time of the year! Are you in the mood for some festive cheer?
When streets are sprinkled with lights, harmonies of angelic Christmas carols are a central part of the season and a great way to tune up to the Christmas spirit. Adding to a merrier Christmas experience, Daraz, the leading e-commerce platform in Sri Lanka, is travelling across Colombo in a brightly lit, open double-decker bus with a choir singing Christmas Carols, placing smiles on the faces of bystanders in the streets of Colombo.
As a part of its commitment to boost Sri Lanka’s economy while giving back to the community, particularly during this season of festivities and celebration, Daraz Carol Bus will take the streets every weekend evening, singing Christmas tunes, greeting holiday shoppers at various places in the city and sharing gifts from Santa Claus, adding to the magic of the season. The event is particularly expected to help promote tourism in Sri Lanka while stimulating investment and economic development.
Enabling residents and visitors in Colombo, Negombo, Wattala and other suburbs to join in on the Christmas cheer, Daraz Carol Bus will tour the province from 2nd December to 19th December while the carolling group will perform live at One Galle Face mall on selected days. Stay tuned to Daraz for more details and daily updates on the routes.
Founded in 2015, Daraz is South Asia’s leading e-commerce platform in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar. It empowers more than 200,000 active sellers with world-class marketplace technology to reach the fast-growing consumer class in a region of 500 million people. Through Daraz Express and Daraz Pay, it operates the most efficient and digitalized logistics and payments infrastructure in its markets. Daraz’s vision is to be a champion of South Asia serving 100 million customers and businesses by 2030. The Daraz Carol Bus is yet another novel feat for the largest online shopping platform in the country, as it strengthens the concept of shoppertainment that combines e-commerce, entertainment, and consumers’ everyday lifestyle.
December, 1, 2022
IPG Group, the official right holders of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise, recently announced Daraz, Sri Lanka’s largest online shopping platform as the ‘League Partner’ and ‘Exclusive Ticketing Partner’ of Lanka Premier League 2022 tournament.
Scheduled between 6th to 23rd December 2022, 24 twenty20 cricket matches are set to be played at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium – Colombo, Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium – Kandy and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium – Hambantota. Many local and international cricket players will participate in LPL 2022 which will feature five teams representing Colombo, Dambulla, Galle, Jaffna and Kandy battling each other to win the championship.
Inaugurated in 2020, this year’s tournament is the third edition of the LPL. Adding to the excitement of the sport, this is a continuation of Daraz’s partnership with the LPL franchise. Daraz was the Exclusive Digital Streaming Partner for LPL 2021 where the Jaffna Stallions emerged as the successive champions. Through this continuous patronage, Daraz strives to take local cricket to the next level.
Sri Lankan cricket fans can now purchase LPL 2022 tickets on Daraz– prices starting from Rs. 300.
The steps are as follows:
Speaking on the partnership, Managing Director of Daraz, Rakhil Fernando stated: “Cricket has always been the most popular sport in Sri Lanka; it plays a vital role in bringing the nation together. Ahead of the IPL 2022 season, Daraz is proud and excited to deliver an enhanced ticketing approach. Through our combined vision and expertise, we strive to deliver a superior cricket experience for the cricket fanbase.”
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The IPG group, Anil Mohan added, “As planning for the LPL 2022 began, we knew that we needed to take a fresh approach to administration in order to provide our enthused cricket fans with an agile, fast and smooth customer experience. A holistic online shopping platform like Daraz is just what is needed in today’s day and age to ensure smooth, hassle-free ticketing operations for a tournament of this scale. We request LPL fans to purchase their tickets at the earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.”
December, 1, 2022
- Records resilient performance and significant economic impacts
Daraz concluded an impactful 11.11 sale last Thursday, delivering massive sales upliftment’s to its sellers and brand partners, despite economic headwinds and supply chain logjams.
The shopping festival brought more than 5Mn users to the Daraz platform, and more than 1 Mn users visited the platform on the first day of the sale. This outcome signals the growing popularity for eCommerce across the country. It is interesting to note that almost 50% of the traffic to the app was generated from outside the Western Province, which indicates that the adoption of eCommerce is growing even in provinces further away from the Western Province. E-commerce is bridging urban-rural divides and linking informal and smaller vendors to large consumer markets across the island, while enhancing accessibility to a wider variety of goods and services.
Sri Lanka’s largest online marketplace launched great discounts and giveaways boosted by influencers, and hosted more than 80,000 sellers and 6 million products. The sale was pivotal for brands, both large and small, and more than 60% of Daraz’s active sellers on the platform benefited from the sale, including more than 7000 small and medium businesses.
Commenting on the sale outcomes, the Managing Director of Daraz Sri Lanka, Rakhil Fernando said, “Planning our 11.11 mega sale is never easy, and this year it was even more difficult, given the current economic conditions. But I am thrilled to say that the 11.11 mega sale was a great success. It definitely boosted both consumer and business confidence and delivered an exciting retail experience to consumers. This year, we invested a lot into educating and engaging more sellers, especially fashion sellers, and also focused on enhancing the shopping experience for consumers in new and exciting ways. Delivering this kind of enhanced seller and customer experience is important because it will set the pace of growth in 2023. We are grateful to our sellers, buyers, payment and brand partners for their contribution to the success of 11.11, and look forward to growing this industry further in Sri Lanka.”
While perennially popular segments such as Consumer Electronics saw year-on-year GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) growth, categories such as Fashion, Health and Beauty, Mother and Baby, and FMCG stood out and achieved high sales numbers during this 11.11mega campaign.
In addition to Daraz’s attractive discounts, giveaways and rewards, sellers and brand partners also contributed amazing deals that were pivotal to delivering the biggest retail shopping experience in Sri Lanka. Popular consumer brands including Signature, DSI, Huawei, Brown & Company, Unilever, Hemas, Swisstek, Celcius and Baseus participated as Diamond partners in this year’s sale and reported record GMV growth and upliftments. Reckitt Benkiser, Teleseen, Ugreen, Metropolitan Technologies, Mobil, Laveena Sarees, Canon (Photohub) , ProMate, Spring & Summer, Phoenix, LouisWill and Janet were Gold partners in this year’s 11.11 sale, and also achieved exciting levels of growth and new customers.
Commenting on the impact of the campaign, Chief Operating Officer of Daraz, Darshika Attanayake opined, “The 11.11 campaign took place against a backdrop of macroeconomic volatility and supply chain disruption. Daraz responded to these challenges well ahead of the sale, by streamlining its operations, bolstering its delivery fleet and switching to more sustainable delivery modes such as bicycles. As the largest eCommerce operator in the country, we achieved great delivery efficiencies during the sale, where more than 600,000 items were delivered to various locations across Sri Lanka, and we delivered an average of 20 packages per litre of fuel. More importantly, around 30-35% of the deliveries were completed on bicycles, and Daraz created 400 new job opportunities during the 11.11 sale this year.”
Daraz hosted a music festival with popular artists to launch the 11.11 mega sale at the stroke of midnight on 11 November, and the festivities continued throughout the campaign period. From 11 November to 17 November, the Daraz Live feature on the app streamed live shows by sellers and games and entertainment shows that kept both sellers and buyers engaged throughout. The sale boosted the adoption and use of digital payments, as digital payment users grew by 10X and Daraz saw a 70% increase in digital payments during the mega sale.
The biggest sale of the year contributed to the growing popularity of not just the Daraz brand but so many other brands across Sri Lanka. It revitalised business and consumer confidence and also enabled so many sellers to better understand buyer sentiments and plan strategically for the upcoming shopping season and 2023.
November, 15, 2022
Strengthening the digital presence of Sri Lankan businesses, private sector bank HNB PLC partnered with South Asia’s leading e-commerce platform Daraz to on-board the bank’s extensive network of SMEs.
The collaboration enables HNB SME customers to gain access to a wide range of services and facilities to establish an online presence. HNB Deputy General Manager – Retail & SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne and Kaymu Lanka (Pvt) Ltd Managing Director Rakhil Fernando were present at a special ceremony held to sign the MoU.
“Given the present economic conditions, the possibility of opening physical stores is drastically slim but thanks to technology, businesses now have a lifeline online. As the bank with the largest SME portfolio, we believe it is our duty to provide our customers access to new opportunities and set their growth trajectory. Our partnership with Daraz will open up new avenues and marketplaces regionally for our customer and we hope many will make use of this unique opportunity to strengthen their online presence,” HNB Assistant General Manager – SME Kailaivasan Indravasan said.
Customers who have established new businesses have unlimited access to educational material provided by Daraz University. Moreover, the commission for the first three months would be waived off for HNB customers
“We are excited for this partnership with HNB that offers the bank’s wide ranging SME client base the opportunity to strengthen their e-commerce capabilities. E-commerce has the potential to drive inclusive growth and level the playing field for all types and sizes of businesses. It also provides a cost-effective gateway for SMEs to explore new markets. Given the wide reach, large active buyer base and the powerful platform technology of Daraz, this partnership will enable small businesses to reach millions of customers island-wide, while taking advantage of our technical support for marketing and logistics.” Stated Rakhil Fernando Managing Director of Daraz
SMEs on-boarded to the Daraz platform under this partnership will be offered packaging free-of-charge for their first order, along with photo-shoots, warehouse shelf space, as well as pick-up and drop-off services. Additionally, the funds for all transactions will be channeled to vendors within 14 days enabling better cash management cycles.
Image Caption: HNB Deputy General Manager Retail & SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne exchanging MOU with Daraz Managing Director Rakhil Fernando in the presence of (from left) HNB Undergraduate Trainee Nelomi Neranjana, HNB Head of SME Products & Partnerships Niluka. T. Amarasinghe, HNB Assistant General Manager SME Kailavasan Indravasan, Daraz Deputy Chief Commercial Officer Gerald Sathiyasiva, Daraz Head of Seller Marketplace Saed Meera and Daraz Head of Payments and Partnerships Dulika Jayamanne
November, 10, 2022
Airtel, Sri Lanka’s fastest growing telecommunication provider, announces its strategic partnership with Daraz as the ‘official telecom partner’ for the Daraz 11.11 sale.
The partnership with local e-commerce giant Daraz.lk will provide Airtel users with exclusive benefits, discounts, and giveaways during the promotion period 11th to 17th November 2022.
Gearing up for the 11.11 sale, the Daraz app has been ‘whitelisted’ on the Airtel network, allowing users to access the app free of charge. This will give shoppers on the Airtel network plenty of time to browse their favourite retailers on the app, and take their time filling their shopping carts without worrying about data charges. This will be a unique benefit to all Airtel and Daraz customers.
During the week, new and existing Airtel Rs. 749 users will be given a chance to win a brand new smartphone each. Additionally, customers who purchase a new Airtel Rs. 749 connection will enjoy free delivery to anywhere in the country.
Airtel’s mission in Sri Lanka revolves around a single goal of delivering maximum value to our customers. We are therefore excited to serve as official telecommunications partner for one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most preferred e-commerce events, the Daraz 11.11 sale. We warmly invite all of our users to make maximum use of the exclusive benefits Airtel Sri Lanka will be providing over and above the massive discounts on offer from Daraz,” Airtel Sri Lanka CEO/MD, Ashish Chandra stated.
Image Caption (From left): Daraz, Managing Director Rakhil Fernando, Airtel Lanka, CEO/MD Ashish Chandra, and Daraz, Founder & CEO Bjarke Mikkelsen
November, 1, 2022
Daraz, the leading e-commerce platform in Sri Lanka, is gearing up for the 11.11 shopping festival with enticing incentives as consumers and merchants are getting ready for the world’s largest and most anticipated shopping spree.
Daraz 11.11 sale that extends from the 11th to 17th of November 2022 presents a great selection of deals, fun, and entertainment for everyone. To add to the excitement, consumers can look forward to the widest variety of genuine products from a wide array of categories at an unbeatable 85 percent discount with a guaranteed 14 days return policy. With an additional 10 percent off on selected bank card payments and up to 40-month instalment plans, this year’s 11.11 will be an exciting occasion for the consumer that guarantees affordability and convenience.
At a time when the cost-of-living is at an all-time high, Daraz 11.11. offers massive savings across three million products ranging from electronics to fashion to lifestyle goods to groceries and so much more at the customers’ fingertips.
Best deals to grab include but are not limited to:
Spring and Summer: Flat 20% off
Natures' Secret: Flat 20% off
Reckitt Benckiser: Flat 20% off
Marvel Marketing: Minimum 30% off
LEGO: 25% off
Mobil: Flat 8% off
Phoenix Industries: 40% off
Alumex: Flat 50% off on ladders
Blink International: Flat 20% off
Apple (iPhone 14 Pro 128, Macbook M2, Apple Watch 7 and 8): Discounts up to Rs. 25,000
Apple 3rd generation AirPods with a free AirPods case: Rs. 73,900
In addition to all these amazing deals and offers, Canon is providing an amazing opportunity to win a Tier Canon IXUS 185 Camera worth Rs. 99,990.
Download Daraz mobile app today and join the 11.11 shopping revolution!
October, 19, 2022
Sri Lanka’s largest e-commerce marketplace, Daraz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WECare, a UK charity organization on a mission to provide high-quality veterinary care for street dogs in Sri Lanka.
A collaborative effort of vets, nurses, and animal lovers from the UK, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, and Poland, WECare Worldwide focuses on the three key areas of neutering and vaccinations, treatment of illness and injury, and educating the community about the welfare of roaming dogs. Since its inception in 2014, the organization and its founder Dr. Janey Lowes have been working tirelessly to provide essential healthcare to street dogs in Sri Lanka.
Daraz’s partnership with WECare will enable the deployment of a fully equipped “Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return” (CNVR) vehicle which will aid in sterilization, vaccination, and treatment of injuries and illnesses of up to 13,000 street animals per year, islandwide. The mobile unit will also help the organization amplify its efforts to educate local communities on animal welfare and protection.
Commenting on the partnership, Daraz Sri Lanka Managing Director Rakhil Fernando said: “Animal welfare standards in Sri Lanka are inordinately low. Millions of street dogs in the country lack basic veterinary care, and if we care about animals and the wellbeing of the communities they live in, it’s important for us to do our part and support the incredible work of animal welfare advocates like Dr. Janey Lowes and the WECare foundation. Uplifting our communities and supporting their wellbeing ranks high in Daraz’s corporate ethos, and the partnership with WECare is another step forward that furthers our efforts in this direction.”
With this partnership, WECare worldwide will also join the Daraz Donates platform, which will soon enable all Daraz users to donate to the meaningful work carried out by the organization in Sri Lanka.
Sharing her views on the partnership, WECare Worldwide Founder Dr. Janey Lowes added: “We are so excited for this partnership with Daraz which will enable the launch of a fully-equipped, world-class CNVR vehicle in Sri Lanka. Street dogs are not stray dogs. They live freely and happily on the street, with most having a safe place to sleep and a reliable food source. What they lack is access to healthcare when they need it most, which is where we come in. Roaming dogs have been a part of Sri Lankan culture for generations and our aim is to provide them with essential healthcare, timely vaccinations, and treatments whenever required, so that they could return to their communities as healthier animals.
“Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) is the backbone of everything we do here in Sri Lanka. It’s the most humane, sustainable, and impactful way of reducing the roaming dog population while keeping the current ones happy and healthy. Our greater goal is to deploy several CNVR vehicles to serve the millions of street dogs in the country and this partnership with Daraz is a great push in the right direction for finding lasting solutions to manage the street dog population and eradicating rabies in both animals and humans.”
WECare is a charity organization set up in 2014 by the UK vet Dr. Janey Lowes during her holiday in Sri Lanka. After witnessing the plight of street dogs, she shifted her life to the Island Nation and has since not only dedicated her time to improve the lives of street dogs, but has also encouraged many like-minded people to show kindness and love towards animals through education and volunteering programmes.
Founded in 2015, Daraz is South Asia’s leading e-commerce platform in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar. It empowers more than 100,000 active sellers with world-class marketplace technology to reach the fast-growing consumer class in a region of 500 million people. Through Daraz Express and Daraz Pay, it operates the most efficient and digitalized logistics and payments infrastructure in its markets. Daraz’s vision is to be a champion of South Asia, serving 100 million customers and businesses by 2030.
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