China’s Xiaomi expands into France and Italy

May 24, 2018Updated May 24, 20181 min read

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp, which is planning to raise US$10 billion in a Hong Kong public listing, says it has launched sales in France and will enter the Italian market tomorrow.

In France, Xiaomi is selling through its first Mi Store in Paris, via its own e-commerce platform Mi.com, and on other online and offline platforms including Amazon and Cdiscount. To date, the Beijing company has established a presence in 74 markets and has agreements with telecoms carriers in France, including Bouygues, Free, Orange and SFR.

Smartphone shipments in western Europe fell 13.9 per cent in the first quarter, according to market research firm Canalys. Shipments to France dropped 23.2 per cent.

However, Xiaomi shipments rose by more than 999 per cent, while Samsung and Apple saw 15.4 and 5.4 per cent declines respectively.

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Mei Ling Tan

Contributor · RetailNews.asia

Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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