Japan’s eCommerce giant Rakuten has opened an online storefront in the UK.
The marketplace will initially offer products from UK merchants before expanding to include international merchants in the future. The move is part of Rakuten’s plan to speed up the global expansion of its so-called ‘internet services ecosystem’.
Tokyo-based Rakuten is the world’s seventh largest eCommerce player, based on sales, with US$5.56 billion in revenue last year and nearly 11,000 employees.
The new Rakuten.co.uk marketplace offers shoppers the ability to buy from independent retailers in the UK and includes a broad range of products across multiple categories including food and drink, health and beauty, clothing and pet care, among others. Customers will also be able to access digital services offered by Rakuten businesses including Kobo and Wuaki through a single account from December 2014. In the future, customers will be able to buy from Rakuten marketplaces worldwide.
“What consumers want from retailers is continually changing, however the desire for a personal and entertaining experience remains constant,” said Kenji Hirose, CEO of Rakuten Europe. “With the launch of Rakuten.co.uk we are making it easier for shoppers to discover what they want and empowering merchants to provide it.
“Over the next 12 months we will pioneer a new era of borderless retail and entertainment by integrating our e-commerce offering with our global ecosystem of Internet services, to make shopping more fun.”
Rakuten.co.uk will include a loyalty scheme, issuing Rakuten Super Points rewards to customers with a minimum of one Super Point for every £1 they spend online.
In a launch promotion, Rakuten will offer customers the chance to become a ‘Rakuten Millionaire’. During November, customers who make purchases on Rakuten.co.uk, will be entered into a draw to win 1 million Rakuten Super Points, which equates to a redemption value of £10,000 to spend on the website. In addition until October 31, customers spending £25 or £50, will receive £5 or £10 back in Rakuten Super Points to use on their next purchase.
Rakuten will offer its UK retail merchants full support in setting up shop online and educating them on how the system works and how to maximise sales.
