The world of classified ads apps, of online buy-and-sell, was a beehive of activity during the global health crisis. Brands like the buy-and-sell platform Carousell were well-positioned to be the favorite go-to of Filipinos who were stuck at home, and sought ways to transact, unload, and keep themselves busy. Carousell closed 2021 with a significant USD 100M investment from STIC, a leading private equity based in Korea that invests across Asia, and with the acquisition of Ox Street—one of the leading end-to-end marketplaces for authenticated sneakers and streetwear in Southeast Asia.

So when Carousell brought us together for an online event entitled Philippines Update 2022, it was understandable to find them in a bullish and optimistic mood for the coming year. It was also an opportunity to meet the new Carousell Philippines general manager Djon Nacario who was proud to declare, “The pandemic has provided customers with access to a significant variety of products from the convenience and safety of their homes. We see this shift as an opportunity and inspiration not only to make Carousell even better, but, most importantly, to serve Filipino customers better.”

During the pandemic, Carousell served as a helpline for a number of Filipinos when users set up community pantries, funded by items sold on the app in order to aid those who were disadvantaged or the most vulnerable during the crisis. During Typhoon Odette, sellers initiated a donation by selling secondhand items and donating the proceeds to families and communities heavily affected. Medical supplies and secondhand clothing were perennial items being offered as a way to supplement the sellers’ income. These grassroots initiatives were encouraging developments for Carousell Philippines management, as it demonstrated how the platform could be a catalyst for resilience and our ‘bayanihan’ spirit.

The big news for 2022 were the following—there’s the merging of Property24 with Carousell which is set to happen on March 8. This is guaranteed to make the platform’s property category much much better and effective. It will mean that developers, agencies, and brokers can bring their listings to an even wider audience, including the 4.62 million monthly visitors on Carousell.

March 2022 will also see the launch of the Carousell Property Awards. Some of the categories and nominees have already been selected, and they include properties of Suntrust, Camella, Crown Asia, and Lumina, among other leading developers.

With over 6,000 cars listed on the platform as of February 2022, it was good to hear about Carousell’s tie up with Premium Warranty Services Philippines, which provides used vehicle inspections and warranty services. This will help inspire confidence and provide peace of mind for potential buyers of second-hand cars.

Also set to be launched in 2022 is the Caroupreneur Awards—out to recognize the outstanding achievements of Filipino entrepreneurs who digitalized their businesses and make regular use of the Carousell platform. And to celebrate Carousell’s decade of sustainability, these Awards will include a category of Heroes of Green with winners to be announced later in the year.

The online event took note of insights from the Recommerce Index 2021 Report which noted how the Philippines is the most receptive Southeast Asia market for recommerce, and how consumer behavior has changed during the pandemic. And there was connecting this to sustainability and preserving production output.

All in all, it’s looks like an exciting year for Carousell. Being in the right place at the worse of times, doesn’t discount how useful and necessary you were for the countless stuck at home. And we can all look forward to what Carousell will be up to this 2022.