Alipay Launches “Double 12” Global Shopping Festival in Hong Kong
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Alipay, the world’s largest online, mobile payment and lifestyle platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, today launched this year’s “Double 12” Global Shopping Festival in 15 countries spanning across four continents. In addition, Ant Financial’s strategic partners in Hong Kong, India, Thailand and the Philippines will introduce campaigns for their local e-wallet users for the first time. These partners include Paytm in India, TrueMoney in Thailand, and GCash in the Philippines. Together with CK Hutchison Holdings (“CK Hutchison), AlipayHK was launched in Hong Kong earlier this year to further develop local service offerings in the city.
In short, we call it ‘glocalization.’” Douglas Feagin, President of International Business, Ant Financial Services Group said at the launch ceremony. “This concept is about developing Alipay globally while also developing localized service offerings.”
“Working with our global merchants network, we also continue to focus on enhancing the Alipay mobile payment experience for Mainland Chinese tourists wherever they travel,” he added. “In particular, some of our most attractive Double 12 promotions are in the Greater Bay Area, where millions of Chinese travellers regularly visit.”
As part of this year’s Double 12 Shopping Festival, almost 10,000 merchants in Hong Kong and Macau will offer exclusive discounts throughout December to Alipay users from Mainland China. This year, a key feature of this year’s Double 12 offering is focused on Hong Kong delicacies to attract Mainland China users. In Hong Kong’s Mongkok district, a promotion of “Hong Kong snacks for 1 RMB” can be enjoyed by Alipay users. In the Guangdong province, Alipay users will receive a cashback for every payment made in over 2 million stores.
Venetia Lee, General Manager of Alipay Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau said, “Our aim is to provide a seamless payment and travel experience to millions of Alipay users who constantly travel to the Greater Bay Area. We will plan to launch more integrated campaigns to further enhance our user experience and bring more value to our merchant network in the region.”
“Working with our global merchants network, we also continue to focus on enhancing the Alipay mobile payment experience for Mainland Chinese tourists wherever they travel,”
Jennifer Tan, CEO designate of the joint venture between CK Hutchison and Ant Financial that offers AlipayHK separately commented on plans for Hong Kong. “Building on Alipay’s success in mainland China, we are rolling out a creative, localized payment experience for our Hong Kong users. Participating in this year’s Double 12 Festival is a first step towards that, and we are very excited to be partnering with so many local merchants to bring this festival to life by providing exclusive offerings to AlipayHK users.”
CK Hutchison and Ant Financial first announced the strategic partnership in September 2017. The joint venture remains subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2018.
AlipayHK has partnered with over 8,000 brick-and-mortar stores to offer exclusive gifts, discounts and rewards throughout December. In addition, vendors in the Po Tat Market will offer “1 Dollar Groceries” flash sale on December 12.
Alipay is also working with partners across Southeast Asia to launch localized versions of Double 12 shopping festival. In Thailand for example, more than 10,000 merchants will be participating in the 1212 D-day Deals for TrueMoney users while 3,000 merchants will offer exclusive discounts on 1212 GCash Day in the Philippines.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which countries are participating in this year's Double 12 Global Shopping Festival?
Which countries are participating in this year's Double 12 Global Shopping Festival?
The Double 12 Global Shopping Festival has launched in 15 countries across four continents. Strategic partners in India, Thailand, and the Philippines are introducing campaigns for their local e-wallet users for the first time this year.
Q.What is the primary goal for Alipay in the Greater Bay Area during the Double 12 Festival?
What is the primary goal for Alipay in the Greater Bay Area during the Double 12 Festival?
Alipay aims to provide a smooth payment and travel experience for the millions of users who frequently travel within the Greater Bay Area. They plan to enhance user experience and bring more value to their merchant network in the region.
Q.Who operates AlipayHK in Hong Kong and when was it launched?
Who operates AlipayHK in Hong Kong and when was it launched?
AlipayHK was launched in Hong Kong earlier this year through a joint venture between CK Hutchison Holdings and Ant Financial. This partnership aims to develop localised service offerings in the city.
Q.What promotions are available for Mainland Chinese tourists using Alipay in Hong Kong during the festival?
What promotions are available for Mainland Chinese tourists using Alipay in Hong Kong during the festival?
Nearly 10,000 merchants in Hong Kong will offer exclusive discounts to Alipay users from Mainland China throughout December. A key feature is a promotion of "Hong Kong snacks for 1 RMB" in Mongkok district.
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