This boundless retail concept would see the merging of content commerce, social commerce and AI, to produce shopping experiences that would seamlessly join the online and offline. For those interested in exploring cross-border e-commerce opportunities via Hong Kong or are interested in selling products in Hong Kong through e-commerce, please note that a separate guidebook on e-commerce in Hong Kong is also available. You are encouraged to review the preview of this guide. According to research conducted by Daxue Consulting, e-tailing accounted for 11 percent of total retail sales of consumer goods in 2015 and is estimated to reach 15-18 percent by 2020. “As a result of this, suggested products and adverts are easier to access with just one click, in China, when browsing the web because of the integrated online platforms, where the same activity would take much longer in the UK. As the project lead to develop this China e-commerce guidebook, the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai would like to thank Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as well as Trade Commissioners at the Embassy in Beijing, the Consulates in Guangzhou and Chongqing for their contributions to both the 2016 and 2017 editions. E-Commerce in China. Despite domestic economic challenges, Chinese consumers particularly the emerging middle class are spending more than ever before in online marketplaces. Apply for financial support, or take part in programs that help innovative or growth-oriented firms, and underrepresented groups. While retail sales in China sputter in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges, ecommerce continues to thrive. Founded in 1999, the five billion U.S. dollar company is currently the largest public company in China. 2. e-Commerce in China. The Singles’ Day was later rebranded as the ‘11.11 Global Shopping Festival,’ expanding into a large-scale retail event. E-commerce has been growth fuelled by extortionate rentals on physical retail space, convenience compared to shopping in polluted, congested, vast urban areas & of course, the Chinese propensity for online services in such a digital … JD.com is its main competitor, and also owns the online grocery business Yihaodian, formerly owned by Walmart. Our knowledge comes from helping thousands of companies each year tackle concrete problems and pursue opportunities in foreign markets. The Single’s Day shopping event included discounts from retailers and incentives such as red packer coupons. Already the world’s largest, China’s e-commerce market has grown by 50% per year since 2011, and is expected to be worth USD$1 trillion by 2019. Canadian companies looking to export to China should consider the opportunities the country’s online commerce sector presents. Alibaba is one of the largest internet companies in China (and the world), and is the company behind some of China’s biggest ecommerce platforms, including Taobao Marketplace, Tmall and AliExpress. China, world’s largest e-retail market, enjoys massive growth. “Consumer confidence has been vital to the rapid growth of China’s e-commerce. And for 2019, it is responsible for 16.7% of China’s retail e-commerce sales. James added: “Reducing the cost of delivery and returns has become a holy grail for online retailers around the world, and we have a lot to learn from how China is succeeding in this regard. For a copy of this document and for more information about Hong Kong, please contact the Trade Commissioner Service at the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao at the following address: The TCS strongly recommends that readers obtain independent legal, financial and related forms of professional advice prior to acting upon information in this report. List of the top 10 Chinese e-commerce platforms by monthly traffic. To acquire access to mobile users, mobile e-commerce retailers have established partnerships with key internet players to increase their traffic. One way to think about it is 83% of the market is still open, and it's a massive market. In this issue of China Briefing Magazine, we cover the current laws pertinent to the e-commerce industry in China, as well as introduce the steps involved in setting up an online shop in the country in order to help provide foreign investors with an overview of the e-commerce landscape in China. The TCS assumes no responsibility for any company, product or service mentioned in this report, nor for any act or omission of any business connected with such products and services. China’s $1.94 trillion e-commerce is the largest in the world, and more than three times that of the number two U.S. market, according to a newly released eMarketer report.And the rise of New Retail there, which blends the best of online and offline commerce to drive higher levels of engagement between brands and consumers, is inspiring innovations in retail across the globe, eMarketer noted. At the same time, E-Commerce infrastructure has substantially improved in recent years & sales potential appears limitless, however the market remains challenging due to its unique local characteristics. The latter retail events focus solely on prices and aggressive discounts. To get a full copy of the guide, contact the E-Commerce team in China. Fortune Global 500 company Jingdong (JD.com) has continued to grow within China’s e-commerce market with its multiple retail acquisitions, and retail tech and supply chain innovations. It also adds new chapters on using social media tools to build brand awareness and features Alibaba business solutions tailored to Canadian SMEs. Emerging middle and affluent classes 3. Answer a few short questions to assess your readiness to do business abroad. A deeper relationship between our two countries will unlock the untapped potential in our commercial ties, grow the prosperity of our middle class, and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses of all sizes. CanExport is open, with few exceptions, to all industry sectors. Through smart consolidation of delivery partners for different retailers, brands are able to ‘share’ some of the core delivery costs. A comprehensive relationship with China is a priority for the Government of Canada. In the food sector, restaurants choose to collaborate with delivery applications: E le Ma, Meituan, Dianping etc. Funding and support for international business, alternative formats section of our help page, Getting Paid If You Have A Company In China, Getting Paid When Engaging In Cross-Border E-commerce, Main Considerations For Approaching The Market, Prepare for your entrance to international markets. And in June this year, retail e-commerce spend in China for 2019 was said to increase 27.3% to $1.935 trillion – making up 36.6% of total retail sales, according to digital data and research company eMarkter. As Canada’s “Chief Marketing Officer”, I am keen to support this effort. According to the projections, by 2020 e-commerce market in China will be bigger than American, British, Japanese, German and French e-commerce markets combined. China E-commerce Trends: What you NEED to Know for 2019 . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Access guides, information and other resources to learn about doing business in international markets. “The personalisation of the customer journey can also help to explain why Singles’ Day is so successful and how it eclipses Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the West. If you require a plug-in or a third-party software to view this file, please visit the alternative formats section of our help page. In a country where traditional channels of commerce are fragmented and often not consumer friendly, e-commerce provides customers with an abundance of choice, accessibility, easily-managed returns (not prevalent in other channels in China), and confidence in vendors at a clear price point. Retail e-commerce sales in China is accounted for more than half of the global retail e-commerce sales. Canada’s high quality goods and services are in demand. Plan for the tariffs, sanctions, and export/import controls that you may encounter when exporting abroad. Millions of Chinese are now purchasing foreign products, including those in developing regions, which were unavailable even just a few years ago. For specific questions, the TCS in China can be contacted at InfocentreChina@ international.gc.ca. Get access to export-related information and join our mailing list. China’s most universally-known e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group recently hit its 20th anniversary this year. A powerhouse in convenience and personalisation, the People’s Republic of China is dominating the e-commerce market with big players such as JD.com and Alibaba. That is plus 27% year over year and a quarter of China’s total retail sales volume. I encourage Canadian companies of all sizes to explore export opportunities in China, and to consider the tremendous potential that e-commerce represents in the Chinese market. In 2016, the festival hosted a ‘See Now Buy Now’ fashion show, which enabled consumers to shop runway looks in real-time with one click of their smartphone. Between 2006 and 2017, eCommerce in China exploded at an unprecedented rate. Within China, our network of Trade Commissioners can provide you with expert advice - whether you are exporting, investing, partnering in market or considering the market. JD.com also believes that the retail of the future is all about continuing the retailer-to-customer relationship after purchase and that the sector will see innovative collaborations between retailers and brands. In 2016, China’s e-commerce transactions accounted for US$2 They also offer discount coupons to their users in order to attract and keep them on their platform. This means that the customer experiences a more personalised journey, where everything can be bought in one place, making the online experience ultimately more seamless. 21 GMV of China's import e-commerce market 2013-2021 22 Popularity of cross-border e-commerce platforms in China 2017 23 Share of products bought on cross-border e-commerce sites in China 2017-2018, by type 24 Share of online shoppers who purchase domestically and cross-border China 2018 E-commerce consumer demographics E-commerce market in China – predictions . The CanExport program is a five-year, $50-million Government of Canada program launched in January 2016 that provides direct financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) registered in Canada that are seeking to develop new export opportunities and markets, especially high-growth emerging markets. The most used e-commerce platforms in China in 2020 are: Taobao; Tmall and Tmall B2D; JD.com; Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) Suning; Kaola; Pinduoduo; But let’s get to know them in detail. This guidebook is designed to walk you through the various decision points required for entering China via e-commerce channels, and provide you with some of the tools to begin making an informed decision. The number of e-commerce users in China rose by 100 million compared with last year, and the number of stores on major online retail platforms went up 3.8 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). “Personalisation has become a popular buzzword when we talk about meeting the demands of consumers and Chinese companies have set the bar high in achieving this to enhance customer experiences. This not only improves profit margins for retailers but can enhance the speed of deliveries and reduce their carbon footprint. Government policies regulating the marketplace are dense, complicated and prone to change without notice. Agriculture and ag-food companies looking for export are eligible to apply through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’sAgrimarketing program. The … The company also forecast Chinese retail e-commerce sales to maintain its strong growth through to the end of its forecast in 2023. A lot of Chinese retailers build their own tech systems from scratch to improve their ability to personalise shopping experiences and then make the most of big data to study customers and make decisions at hyper-speed. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (‘TCS’ www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca) with its network of resources in China, including a dedicated team focusing on e-commerce, is available to Canadian companies interested in learning more about the topics presented in this guidebook. Canadian companies seeking for export support are also encouraged to look at CanExport program. This has resulted in a major shift in product focus of the biggest retailers.”, Boyson added: “In terms of what other nations can do to mimic the success of Chinese e-commerce, the personalisation of a customer’s journey is certainly something that needs to be taken more seriously in the UK and other countries. The Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai is pleased to provide this guidebook, “An Introduction to E-Commerce in China”, designed to help Canadian companies understand the Chinese e-commerce landscape. General regulation of e-commerce in China – FAQs . To help you grasp the volumes and the competition in the Chinese e-commerce landscape, here are the current top 10 leaders of e-commerce platforms in China in 2020 and their estimated monthly traffic … A key factor behind China's e-commerce boom is the extensive digital payment infrastructure led by Alibaba's Ant and Tencent's WeChat. China is the world's largest E-Commerce market by transaction value. China: Revenue in the eCommerce market is projected to reach US$1,117,204m in 2020. Let us help assess your potential in specific markets, connect you with qualified contacts, or solve a market access problem. E-Commerce is in its heyday in China, representing approximately 35% of the overall retail market, it is a global leader. The former tends to focus more on experience, than price, celebrating the day through games and entertainment in a fun, social way. Emarketer reports that in 2018 Q1 2017 reports that Chinese national online retail sales of goods and services reached 1.4 trillion. The Trade Commissioner Service has a dedicated team in China focusing on e-commerce. Updated in Summer 2017 to reflect the most recent developments and trends in the fast-changing world of e-commerce in China, the guidebook will help companies develop a successful strategy for entering this dynamic market. By the end of 2015 it has also overtaken US and EU in actual online revenues. Our business contacts include potential-customers, distributors, sources of finance or investment, technology partners and other intermediaries. I am confident that this guidebook will provide Canadian companies with the information and resources they need to take the plunge with confidence. Specialising in customer conversion, we [Smarter Click] do notice that conversion rates tend to go up when the shopping experience feels as if it’s been tailored to consumers.”. Purchase the Food and Drink E-Commerce in China country report as part of our food and drink internet retailing market research for March 2020. The digital environment is a key springboard for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to enter the Chinese market. A highlight of my trip was getting a first-hand look at the exciting e-commerce opportunities that China offers. The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne Minister of International Trade, Embassy of Canada in China: Beijing Consulate Generals: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hong Kong Canadian Trade Offices: Shenyang, Qingdao, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Xiamen, Hangzhou and Tianjin. “The growth of China’s e-commerce has been spurred on by wider socio-economic factors. What is the most suitable e-commerce platform for your brand? On the one hand, China is promoting the cross-border e-commerce channel and lowering tax rate; on the other hand, China is imposing a lot more regulations on the technical integration and data transparency. Access useful information and reports on markets and sectors abroad. With its expert market knowledge, local contacts and on-the-ground support throughout 15 points of service in China, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service is eager to help our SMEs navigate this marketplace and make informed business decisions. 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