KUALA LUMPUR, 13 November 2025 – Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, has revealed insights from its latest SME survey, showing that 45.7% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) identify high logistics costs as their top business challenge for the coming year. As economic pressures persist, many businesses are turning to flexible delivery platforms like Lalamove to streamline operations, manage costs, and sustain customer satisfaction.
Conducted between September and October 2025 with over 100 business users, the survey found that Malaysian SMEs remain cautiously optimistic about the country’s business prospects in 2026. More than 60% of respondents expressed either optimism or cautious positivity, reflecting the sector’s resilience and adaptability in the face of inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges.
Transparency and Safety Drive SME Partnerships
The survey revealed that 62% of respondents view delivery services as “important” or “essential” to daily operations, with over 56% using Lalamove multiple times per week. This growing reliance underscores the vital role of on-demand logistics in supporting key sectors such as retail, food and beverage, and manufacturing.
When choosing a delivery platform, respondents ranked transparent pricing with no hidden fees as their top priority, followed by safe delivery and affordable pricing—underscoring the demand for clarity, reliability, and cost efficiency in today’s competitive business landscape.
“Logistics is no longer just a backend function—it’s a strategic lever for growth,” said Jane Teh, Managing Director of Lalamove Malaysia. “We’re seeing more SMEs using Lalamove not only to reduce delivery costs but also to expand reach, improve speed, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market.”
Teh added that Malaysian SMEs are increasingly adopting hybrid business models, from pop-up stores to cloud kitchens, that demand flexible, scalable delivery infrastructure.
“We’re also committed to supporting our driver-partners, who are essential to this ecosystem. By connecting businesses with reliable delivery capacity, we’re creating opportunities for SMEs to grow and for drivers to earn on their own terms, a win-win model that strengthens Malaysia’s economic resilience.”
SME Agility Reflected in Diverse Delivery Choices
Survey findings also indicate that motorcycles and cars remain the most popular delivery modes, each used by 72% of Lalamove’s SME users. Interestingly, nearly 80% of respondents use multiple delivery types, ranging from motorcycles to lorries, showing that businesses value flexibility based on order size and urgency. This diversity demonstrates Lalamove’s capability to support a broad spectrum of delivery needs, from rapid urban drops to bulk logistics.
As Malaysia heads into the festive and year-end peak season, logistics demand is expected to surge once again. Lalamove’s Corporate Solutions and Regular Order Mission packages are helping businesses handle fluctuating delivery volumes efficiently. Meanwhile, rebate rewards and loyalty incentives allow SMEs to manage costs and sustain growth during high-demand periods.
Through its continued innovation and customer-first approach, Lalamove reaffirms its commitment to empowering Malaysia’s SMEs with scalable, transparent, and affordable delivery solutions that drive operational excellence and sustainable growth.
