WeChat launches plan to stimulate retail growth

Chinese social-media and mobile-payment app WeChat has introduced measures aimed at boosting the recovery of the retail industry.

The firm’s Wechat Retail Growth Plan is intended to help global businesses and brands strengthen their understanding and use of WeChat’s tools and functions to better resolve the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.

The plan uses several recent services launched by WeChat, including WeChat Live for businesses – which allows them to interact with customers and generate sales via live streaming – and WeChat Work 3.0, which has become a key platform for remote working during the pandemic, connecting enterprises with customers.

WeChat’s key services promoted by the growth plan also include 1 on 1 Consultant – which allows retailers to tap into existing user bases and manage fans as well as initiate direct conversation with followers – and WeChat Pay, which has encouraged cross-border e-commerce, local orders, and scan-and-go self-service during the pandemic.

The firm has also launched a range of supportive policies for merchants facing challenges during the coronavirus outbreak.

More than 1 billion Chinese consumers use WeChat’s platform.