Line has acquired Sellsuki, a social commerce management startup, as it seeks to expand its e-commerce business and reinforce its ambition to support nascent tech firms.
Born in the age of social media, Sellsuki is a social commerce management provider for online social sellers to manage chat, sales, inventory, tracking and after-sale service, all integrated in a single system.
Sellsuki says it meets the demands of today's commerce, which is often conducted through various channels and uniquely centred on social media and chat.
The company has developed expertise in working with Line@, Line's social commerce service.
Ariya Banomyong, managing director of Line Thailand, said social commerce is a driver of e-commerce's growth in Thailand.
According to PwC research, social commerce makes up 51% of the US$3.1-billion e-commerce market. The number of social commerce consumers in Thailand is three times higher than the global average.
"After years of collaboration with Sellsuki, we've realised the company's potential, which eventually resulted in this acquisition deal," Mr Ariya said. "We are excited to welcome the passionate and talented Sellsuki team to Line, and support the Thai startup ecosystem."
The acquisition is effective as of Dec 6. Sellsuki's social commerce staff members have joined Line Thailand's team.
Lertad Supadhiloke, co-founder and chief executive of Sellsuki, is now head of e-commerce at Line Thailand. Sellsuki's social commerce solutions have also completely transferred to Line, while the original company continues to operate its other business services under new management.
Mr Lertad said Sellsuki's mission has always been to help businesses grow while staying close to their customers.
The vision and attitude of a corporation like Line made the decision easy, he said, and this is a big statement in support of e-commerce merchants and the startup ecosystem as a whole.
"We are excited to scale our mission at Line by creating new technologies and services to satisfy the needs of Thai people with no limits," Mr Lertad said.
