Amazon's global strategy comes unstuck in Southeast Asia's localized market

Amazon boxes with the U.S. e-commerce giant's arrow logo are ubiquitous in many developed countries but are rarely seen in Southeast Asia, where rivals dominate the online shopping market. (Nikkei illustration)

American e-commerce giant phases out fulfillment services, trails far behind regional players

SINGAPORE -- Amazon, the world's biggest e-commerce giant, has effectively admitted defeat in Singapore. On July 6, the U.S. company began phasing out its fulfillment service, whereby it stores goods for retailers in its facilities. Amazon Fresh, which delivers groceries within a two-hour window, will cease operations and third-party sellers will also be affected.