Who would have thought that a group of Selangor Startups would find themselves deep inside China’s most advanced digital commerce ecosystems, at a global level?
Yet that was exactly what unfolded during the Retail-X International Innovation Trip to Shanghai, organised by Sidec Sdn. Bhd. for five (5) winners of the Selangor Retail Tech Xccelerator (Retail-X) 2025 programme. For many of the participants, the trip marked a shift in perspective. Retail innovation was no longer something to observe from afar, it became something to experience in real time—through exposure to how leading players integrate AI, LIVE commerce, and ecosystems to drive scale and sustained growth.
The Retail-X programme itself was created with this mindset in mind. A specialised 12-week accelerator, Retail-X is designed to help Malaysian retail SMEs move beyond incremental digital adoption and towards long-term competitiveness. Through expert mentorship, retail technology adoption, and immersive training modules, the programme focuses on equipping local businesses with the tools to operate confidently in a technology-driven retail landscape.
Immersion into Global Digital Commerce
The Retail-X International Innovation Trip began with an immersive introduction to China’s digital commerce ecosystem through a full-day training at ByteDance Shanghai. Delegates gained hands-on exposure to high-impact e-commerce advertising, short-form video strategies and LIVE commerce optimisation, complemented by a behind-the-scenes tour of ByteDance’s innovation ecosystem. The first day concluded with a welcoming dinner at Secret Flavour Shanghai, where Chef Shah shared his entrepreneurial journey of building a successful Malaysian restaurant in China, underscoring the values of resilience, passion and adaptability in navigating international markets.
Building on the strong start of the programme, the momentum continued on the second day with deeper insights into AI-driven retail transformation and scalable e-commerce operations. Participants returned to ByteDance’s global office for in-depth sessions on AI applications through BytePlus, advanced e-commerce operations methodologies, shopper-tainment and LIVE commerce trends, as well as China’s industrial clusters and supply chain strategies, equipping them with practical frameworks to sustain growth and scale effectively in competitive global markets.
Global Retail Innovation, AI and Scalable Commerce
The Retail-X International Innovation Trip advanced into large-scale e-commerce and fulfilment, as delegates travelled beyond Shanghai for immersive exposure at Baozun. Participants gained insights into advanced LIVE commerce models, took part in mock livestream sessions, and engaged in agency sharing focused on brand and seller growth. The experience was further enriched by a warehouse visit in Suzhou, showcasing automated fulfilment systems and end-to-end logistics operations. The day concluded with a closing dinner alongside TikTok Shop Malaysia, strengthening industry ties and cross-border collaboration.
Industry engagement continued on the next day with visits to ChatPlus AI and SUNMI Group. Delegates explored AI-powered e-commerce solutions, smart retail ecosystems, POS innovations and IoT-driven retail technologies, gaining practical, real-world insights into how future-ready retail operations are built and scaled in mature digital markets. The visits highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making, system integration, and automation in enhancing operational efficiency, customer experience, and business scalability within highly competitive retail environments.
Mr. Ahmad Salman, Head of Startup and Digitalisation at Sidec Sdn. Bhd., said that this initiative was designed to provide the participating Selangor SMEs with practical exposure to global retail innovation and scalable digital commerce ecosystems through direct engagement with industry leaders in China.
“By engaging with these companies, our SMEs will get the insight on how content, commerce, logistics and AI work together within a single ecosystem. This kind of exposure helps businesses rethink their operating models and prepare more strategically for cross-border growth,” he adds.
The final day focused on enterprise AI and content-commerce integration, with visits to LeapIn and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). Participants learned how AI-powered enterprise automation, digital workforce tools, and community-driven content platforms influence consumer behaviour and enhance cross-border brand visibility. Overall, the Retail-X International Innovation Trip equipped Malaysian SMEs with global e-commerce best practices, advanced AI and technology exposure, and hands-on learning; marking a significant step in strengthening their capabilities for sustainable growth and international expansion.
With this successful initiative, the Retail-X International Innovation Trip has sparked a new wave of innovation for SMEs. Equipped with global e-commerce strategies, AI-driven insights and hands-on experience, participants are now ready to transform their digital and retail operations. This journey paves the way for sustainable growth, cross-border opportunities, and a bold new era in the global marketplace.
This content is provided by Sidec
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