Indonesia – Indonesia-based e-commerce firm Bukalapak has revealed plans to phase out the sale of physical goods on its marketplace, redirecting its focus toward virtual products and digital services.
The company informed its users that they have until February 9, 2025, to place final orders for physical goods before the marketplace shuts down, Reuters reported.
Moving forward, Bukalapak will exclusively focus on offering virtual goods, such as mobile credits and internet packages, as well as services for paying electricity, water, and cable TV bills, among others.
Reuters highlighted that since its listing, Bukalapak has faced intense competition from Shopee and Tokopedia.
In an official statement, Bukalapak explained that the decision to discontinue physical product sales was driven by market changes and increased competition, prompting an adjustment to its long-term strategy for sustainability and relevance. This plan was disclosed in an information disclosure announcement in October 2024.
“We want to emphasise that this change is a necessary step to focus on business lines with higher growth potential that we have been developing,” the company said.
Bukalapak assured users that despite the shift in product focus, the Bukalapak Marketplace platform—including its app, website, and Mitra Bukalapak services—will remain fully operational and accessible for existing services.
The company further emphasised its strong financial position, backed by solid cash reserves, and clarified that discontinuing physical product sales on the Bukalapak Marketplace will not significantly impact its revenue.
“Bukalapak is committed to supporting sellers in adapting to this change. We are providing various guides and resources to help sellers ensure a smooth and secure transition…We also value the trust that customers have placed over the years and will ensure that customer rights are upheld until the end of the transition process,” the company stated.
