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Tmall Global launches new English-language website

By Maria SantosChina
2 min read
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Tmall Global today launched its first English-language website to attract more merchants and businesses from around the world to join China’s largest cross-border online shopping platform.

The portal makes it easier for sellers of all sizes to capitalize on burgeoning demand from Chinese consumers for high-quality imported products.

Tmall Global already features 20,000 international brands in over 4,000 categories from 77 countries and regions. This outreach aims to make Tmall more appealing to small, medium-sized and niche brands from other countries with products that would sate the demands of China’s post-1995 generation.

The website details Tmall Global and the solutions it offers to overseas merchants entering the China market. It includes steps on how to open a flagship store on Tmall Global and tap direct import tools, such as Tmall Overseas Fulfillment (TOF), a new initiative launched later last year to provide international merchants a low-cost, low-risk way to take a first step toward selling to China before making a more full-fledged market entry.

The portal also provides tools that streamline the process to join Tmall Global. Businesses wanting to open a flagship store can fill out a questionnaire and input basic information about their operation. That information will be pre-screened, and qualifying applicants will be contacted within 72 hours. Apart from offering assistance during the onboarding process, Tmall Global will also advise merchants on how to optimize their operations after they establish a presence on the platform.

“Tmall Global’s mission is to connect high-quality international brands across the globe with Chinese consumers. We believe the launch of this English-language website will expedite the process for brands and merchants to introduce their products to Chinese consumers. The website will widen our reach to merchants, especially to those medium and small sized businesses around the world,” said Yi Qian, Deputy General Manager of Tmall Global.

In addition to English, Tmall Global plans to launch other language versions of its entry portal for merchants, including Spanish, Japanese and Korean.

Tmall Global has notched significant growth in the past year and looks to continue the strong momentum. In 2018, the number of new flagship store openings on Tmall Global doubled from the previous year, and that growth rate is expected to accelerate further this year.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary goal of Tmall Global's new English-language website?

A.

The website aims to attract more international merchants and businesses, especially small to medium-sized ones, to join Tmall Global and sell products to Chinese consumers. It makes it easier for them to capitalise on demand for high-quality imported goods.

Q.

How does Tmall Overseas Fulfillment (TOF) help businesses wanting to enter the Chinese market?

A.

TOF is a new initiative providing international merchants with a low-cost, low-risk method to start selling to China. It allows them to take an initial step before committing to a full market entry.

Q.

Which specific demographic of Chinese consumers is Tmall Global targeting with these new brands?

A.

Tmall Global is aiming to satisfy the demands of China's post-1995 generation. The outreach specifically looks for niche brands with products that would appeal to this group.

Q.

Will Tmall Global launch this type of entry portal in other languages?

A.

Yes, Tmall Global plans to introduce other language versions of its merchant entry portal. Future languages include Spanish, Japanese, and Korean, expanding its international reach further.

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