Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, has announced the findings from its latest SME survey, revealing that 45.7% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) identify high logistics costs as their top business challenge in the coming year.
As economic pressures mount, businesses are turning to flexible delivery platforms like Lalamove to streamline operations, manage costs, and maintain customer satisfaction.
Conducted between September and October with over a hundred business users, the survey also highlighted that a majority remain cautiously optimistic about the country’s business prospects in 2026.
In fact, over 60% of respondents expressed either optimism or a cautiously positive outlook, signalling resilience and adaptability in the face of inflation and supply chain tensions.
Pricing Transparency and safe delivery are Top Partnership Priorities for SMEs
The survey also found that 62% of respondents consider delivery services ‘important’ or ‘essential’ to their daily operations, with over 56% using Lalamove multiple times per week.
This growing reliance reflects how on-demand logistics is helping businesses stay agile, especially in sectors like retail, F&B, and manufacturing.
When asked to rank the most important factors when choosing an on-demand delivery platform, respondents placed transparent pricing with no hidden fees at the top, followed by safe delivery and affordable pricing—underscoring the need for clarity, reliability, and cost-efficiency in today’s competitive 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 use Lalamove not only to reduce delivery costs, but to expand reach, improve speed, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market.”
This reflects Malaysian SMEs increasingly adopting hybrid business models—from pop-up stores to cloud kitchens—that require flexible, scalable delivery infrastructure.
“We’re committed to supporting our driver-partners who are essential to this ecosystem,” Teh added.
By connecting businesses with reliable delivery capacity, we’re creating opportunities for both SMEs to grow and drivers to earn on their own terms—a win-win model that strengthens Malaysia’s economic resilience.”
Diverse Delivery Modes Reflect SME Agility
When asked about the type of delivery service they generally use with Lalamove, respondents showed a strong preference for motorcycles and cars, each selected by 72% of users.
Notably, nearly 80% of users select multiple delivery types, ranging from motorcycles to lorries, suggesting they want flexibility depending on their needs.
This diversity highlights Lalamove’s ability to support a wide range of delivery needs—from lightweight, rapid urban drops to bulkier, business-critical deliveries.
Supporting SME Growth Through Peak Season
As the year draws to a close, the festive season and major local events are expected to fuel economic activity and drive another surge in SME delivery demand.
Lalamove’s flexible delivery solutions—including Corporate Solutions and Regular Order Mission—help businesses manage surging demand efficiently, while rebate rewards enable them to control costs and sustain growth during busy periods.
