Cross-border eCommerce ‘set to skyrocket’ in China
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Cross-border eCommerce (CBEC) is set to skyrocket in China according to a new report from international think tank Fung Global Retail & Technology.
To capitalise on this, international retailers need to complement their existing expansion strategy with online sales platforms, says Fung Global MD Deborah Weinswig.
Cross-border eCommerce is the most efficient platform to reach increasingly affluent and sophisticated Chinese shoppers seeking products from overseas, says the report, The International Retailers’ Guide to Cross-Border E-Commerce in China.
With Chinese authorities relaxing the rules, online purchases of overseas products are expected to increase to US$285 billion in value in 2018, up from US$136 billion last year.
As well as authenticity being less of a concern, eCommerce purchases attract less taxes so are cheaper for consumers, writes Weinswig. As a result, it is projected that a quarter of the population will shop on foreign sites or through third parties in 2020, up from 15 per cent this year.
“We expect CBEC will drive the next leg of eCommerce growth as Chinese eCommerce companies and international retailers launch globalised versions of their portals. By selling through CBEC, international retailers can reach Chinese shoppers regardless of whether or not they have a physical presence in China.”
“As a result, it is projected that a quarter of the population will shop on foreign sites or through third parties in 2020, up from 15 per cent this year.”
China is already the largest eCommerce market in the world, with the use of CBEC via such marketplaces as JD Worldwide and Tmall Global being attributed to the continuing rise of the upper middle class with its growing use of the internet and belief that international brands are of higher quality.
Regulations formalised
Most shoppers seek items related to wellbeing such as cosmetics and organic foods, expensive or hard to find domestically, says the report. Many foreign eCommerce companies have launched Chinese websites, and since late 2014 authorities have been formalising regulations including tax reforms and expediting customs clearances.
Japanese companies in particular are targeting Chinese CBEC shoppers, using mobile apps such as Rakuten and China’s Wandou.
Choosing the right platform is crucial, writes Weinswig. Options include…
- Online marketplaces such as Alibaba’s Tmall Global, a third-party eCommerce platform that lets brands open a storefront. International distributors using this platform include Macy’s, Metro, Shiseido and Uniqlo.
- Online direct sales such as Amazon.cn, Jumei Global Store, Kaola.com (for smaller brands) and Vipshop. Distributors buy from the retailers to resell to consumers.
- Hybrid eCommerce platforms such as JD Worldwide that combine elements of an online marketplace and online direct sales. JD Worldwide partners include eBay, Lotte, Rakuten and Unilever.
- Overseas shopping platforms.
“To succeed in the Chinese market, international retailers are advised to have a strategic plan for CBEC that complements their China strategy,” writes Weinswig. “International retailers will need to decide which cross-border channels to sell on, driven by considerations of each platform’s targeted clientele and product category, costs, track record and suite of value-added services.”
Fung Global Retail & Technology is based in Hong Kong, London and New York.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is driving the projected increase in cross-border eCommerce in China?
What is driving the projected increase in cross-border eCommerce in China?
Relaxed regulations by Chinese authorities and the lower taxes on eCommerce purchases are making overseas products cheaper for consumers. Authenticity concerns are also less of an issue, encouraging more online shopping from abroad.
Q.Which product categories are most sought after by Chinese shoppers on cross-border eCommerce platforms?
Which product categories are most sought after by Chinese shoppers on cross-border eCommerce platforms?
The report indicates that most shoppers are looking for items related to wellbeing. These commonly include cosmetics and organic foods, especially products that are expensive or difficult to find within China.
Q.What options are available for international retailers looking to sell through cross-border eCommerce in China?
What options are available for international retailers looking to sell through cross-border eCommerce in China?
Retailers can use online marketplaces like Tmall Global, direct sales platforms such as Amazon.cn, or hybrid eCommerce platforms like JD Worldwide. Overseas shopping platforms also present another channel for reaching Chinese consumers.
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