Rakuten’s shopping site in Thailand, Tarad.com, expects sales to jump 81 per cent this year.

The company’s optimism is underpinned by the increasing mobile shopping in the country. Mobile shopping transactions now account 51 per cent of Tarad’s total transactions.

Tarad was rebranded last year to Rakuten.co.th, with the rebranding to take place in the middle of this year and will see 2000 premium merchants move to the new site. It also partnered with messaging app Line, now a subsidiary company, to promote its marketplace to the latter’s users.

Founder and MD Pawoot Pongvitayapanu said while the political turmoil hurts bricks and mortar retailers, it benefits online retailers as it drives consumers to shop online.

Thailand’s B2C market is tipped to grow by at least 30 per cent by year end.