ShangPin, China’s leading online business-to-consumer (B2C) fashion retailer and lifestyle platform, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) to bring British businesses to China via Shangpin.com.
The deal will benefit UK brands, particularly fashion and lifestyle brands, entering China’s ecommerce space, as they can avail advantage of ShangPin’s expertise in the sector.
The MoU will enhance bilateral trade between the UK and China, as it provides ShangPin’s support and expertise to British companies, with preferential perks. The scope of the MoU also extends to implementing dedicated British-themed marketing initiatives across ShangPin’s B2C and mobile commerce platforms.
ShangPin enjoys a unique position in China as the first full-priced online retailer and B2C platform focused on international fashion and lifestyle brands. Unlike other Chinese online retailers, ShangPin actively works with celebrities, key opinion leaders and fashion bloggers to raise awareness of its foreign brand partners among China’s burgeoning online consumer market, reaching over 61 million people in just one recent campaign for Topshop.
David Zhao, CEO of ShangPin, said, “Our hugely successful online launch of iconic British brand Topshop through ShangPin.com was a milestone in Chinese retail history. Topshop is one of many leading international brands now looking to enter China via online platforms instead of opting for a traditional bricks-and-mortar presence.”
“Chinese ecommerce and social media marketing is hard for foreign brands to crack, so a local partner is essential. With this MoU, we hope to bring even more British brands into China. Our unique offer that provides everything a brand needs to enter a new market: our online retail platform, social media marketing, and partnerships with Chinese celebrity brand ambassadors is a one-stop shop of local support, ready-built customer bases, and on-the-ground marketing,” Zhao adds.
M Claire Chung, vice president of international business development for ShangPin, said, “We are thrilled to be working with UKTI and the CBBC to introduce Britannia’s finest to Chinese fashion-lovers.... ShangPin focuses on a more refined proposition – concentrating on current season fashions, offering our customers only the best brands from around the world. From street fashion to fast fashion to premium designer looks, our goal is to provide a wide range of styles as our customers grow with us, not only in increased spending power but also in their fashion tastes. We leverage our celebrity connections and fashion influence network to support our brand partners as they enter unknown territory.”
