An inside look at China’s leading online luxury retailers
China will become the world’s largest online retail market by 2015, according to a report by The Boston Consulting Group, with sales expected to hit US$350 billion.
The report added that by 2015, China will also become the world’s largest luxury market.
With such huge potential for growth, it’s no wonder Chinese luxury online retailers, also known as e-tailers, are jumping onto the e-commerce bandwagon.
Here is a guide to some of the leading online retailers in China and the services they provide.
Xiu.com
This e-commerce website is the only Chinese online retailer that is listed on Business Insider magazine’s 2012 ‘Digital 100’ list.
Eighty percent of Xiu.com’s sales are driven by demand for high-end imported products such as Burberry apparel, Cartier watches and Gucci handbags. The retailer sells more than 200,000 products from over 400 imported brands, including new arrivals such as Havaianas flipflops, Henri J.Sillam jewellery and Babakul womenswear from the US.
Meanwhile, the online store is continuing its efforts to strengthen its offerings. It just announced a partnership with Italian fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo to retail the group’s luxury products from October 11.
Xiu.com charges for deliveries with rates starting from RM15 (US$2.35). The website accepts credit card payment, cash on delivery, or payment through e-commerce giant Alibaba’s Alipay, a third-party online payment service.
Shangpin
This e-tailer started in 2010 as a discount fashion website and proclaims itself China’s first members-only authorized retailer of top luxury brands. Boasting a clientele base of over 2.4 million, it currently offers over 80 brands which it says are not available elsewhere in China such as Cynthia Rowley, Diane Von Furstenberg, Stuart Weitzman, Charlie Jade and Aryn K.
Shangpin also says it has the highest average transaction price in China of RM 3,000 (US$470) for a Chinese online retailer compared with average transaction price of online purchases in China at RM 200 (US$31).
The online store publishes its own digital magazine to keep members informed about the newest trends in fashion and lifestyle.
The website provides free two-day FedEx delivery nationwide and a no-questions-asked 7-day return policy. Shangpin.com accepts payment by credit card, Lakala e-billing, Alipay and cash on delivery barring the purchase of jewelry, watches or other valuables.
Omei
Omei.com, which also touts itself as “the first luxury e-commerce website in China,” is a newly established online retailer which sells in-season fashion goods ranging from shoes and watches to handbags and dresses. It carries a wide range of brands ranging from Diesel and Calvin Klein to BCBG Max Azria, Kenzo and Prada.
It recently partnered with US department store Macy's to allow Chinese shoppers to buy the American brand’s merchandise via its website as Macys.com is only available in English. The items will be shipped to Chinese customers via Omei’s warehouses in China, rather than shipping the goods direct from the US. The link-up with Macy’s on omei.com is expected to debut in spring 2013.
Returns are allowed within 7 days of delivery and exchanges can be done within 8 to 15 days of purchase. The website accepts payment with Chinese bank cards, Alipay, cash on delivery or 99bill.com, another third-party payment platform.
The Corner
This multi-brand online store, owned by Milan-based retail giant YOOX, stocks mostly top-end luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Alexander McQueen and Z Zegna, Maison Martin Margiela and Alexander Wang.
The website is also a proud supporter of homegrown design talents. Last year, it launched on its site the collections of five emerging Chinese designers — Uma Wang, Christine Lau, Manchit Au, Shangguan Zhe and Zou You.
Delivery fees vary according to desired delivery times, starting from RM 50 (US$8), using FEDEX. There is a 7-day return policy. Payment can be made via Alipay.
Jiapin
Jiapin.com, founded by VIPStore in 2009, has two sections – one is a flash sales section that sells luxury items at a discount for limited periods of time and the other webpage sells full-price items. This online retailer focuses mostly on women’s accessories, selling anything from Guess handbags and Clinique makeup to Versace perfumes, even French wines.
This website has a 7-day return policy. It supports payment using Alipay or 99bill.com. Cash upon delivery is also accepted.
Glamour Sales
Glamour Sales is a flash sales website, where online members can shop for discounted items for a limited period of time. Glamour Sales sells anything from Christofle table ware and Clarins makeup to La Perla lingerie and Kipling luggage.
The e-commerce operator says it is the only high-end website in Asia which operates directly as a partner for international brands in luxury, fashion and lifestyle, and reportedly has 1 million members in China.
Glamour Sales has a 7-day return policy. It supports payment using Chinese bank debit cards, credit cards, Alipay, 99bill.com. Cash upon delivery is also accepted.
http://www.glamour-sales.com.cn/
