Carousell supports Small Businesses, hawkers during Covid-19 crisis

Classified-ad service Carousell is offering up to SG$2 million (US$1.3 million) in free advertising for nonprofits serving communities impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Organizations in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines engaged in initiatives to support those affected by the pandemic will be eligible for the program.

“This initiative will give non-profit organizations more visibility and offer an alternative platform for advertising that doesn’t require paying premium fees,” said Carousell’s MD for advertising JJ Eastwood. “As a C2C classified  platform, Carousell has a broader vision for our community and users that transcends the current Covid-19 climate.”

Existing partners include Singapore Red Cross, Give. Asia, Free Food for All in Singapore, Parents Without Partners in Malaysia, Habitat For Humanity in Hong Kong and Caritas Manila in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, Carousell has launched the #SupportLocal campaign to help business owners impacted by the pandemic, targeting both SMEs and small food & beverage operators. The first phase of the initiative, ‘#SupportLocal F&Bs’, encourages Singaporeans to support the smaller eateries and hawkers in their own neighborhoods.

Partnering with Unilever Food Solutions, Carousell plans to sign up more than 2500 F&B businesses onto a newly created Local F&B category on its platform.

“The onboarding process will ensure that business owners who have not had prior experience with online operations are still able to list on Carousell for increased visibility,” the company explains. “With Carousell listings, F&B owners will be able to provide on-demand takeaway services without having to pay a premium or commission to external vendors, and Carousellers will be able to conveniently and directly support the local F&B establishments near them.

Ivan Lu, MD for Malaysia and Singapore at Unilever Food Solutions, says the company believes Carousell’s initiative will help provide the local F&B community with an additional option to attract the orders they sorely need.

“It’s a tough time, but the Singaporean F&B community is amazingly resilient. With our Kampong spirit, we can weather any storm,” says Lu.