Thailand’s aCommerce has appointed a new Singapore-based executive to drive growth in the local market.

The company, which is described as an “end-to-end eCommerce enabler” has appointed Karl Noronha, a former Amazon executive, as GM of aCommerce Singapore and Malaysia to lead the company’s expansion.

Currently operating in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, aCommerce sees Singapore as the right place to build a distribution ‘hub’ for regional eCommerce companies venturing into the US$88 billion online retail sector.

Noronha was previously regional director of Amazon Global Selling, building channel and partner programs in Southeast Asia.

Noronha says 26 per cent of Singaporeans buy something online every week on websites, messaging apps or direct from brands. At 2.1 per cent, the city state has the highest percentage of retail sales conducted online of all Southeast Asian markets, thanks largely to high disposable incomes and mature logistics.

“This makes the country a perfect testing ground for brands looking to expand their online presence,” he said.