International Brands Direct has launched IBD Shop, a platform for global brands to sell directly to consumers in China.
It follows the launch of International Brands Direct’s Shop Abroad platform last year.
About 60 per cent of luxury purchases by Chinese consumers are still made offshore, either online or during shopping trips, and fake products are still a rampant problem.
IBD was based upon these trends, as well as the fact Chinese consumers are starting to look for brands that are either not available in China or available only in the main cities. IBD means they can buy genuine products directly.
For luxury and niche brands, the turnkey platform offers the opportunity to build brand awareness and find customers. The service includes marketing promotions and the chance to tap into Chinese media, both social and traditional.
“Both retailers and Chinese consumers want to connect but are hesitant to sell and buy on the major portals in China because of concerns over brand destruction and product authenticity,” says IBD chairman Andrew Waters.
IBD Shop bridges that gap and offers a seamless sales transaction.
Waters says IBD is a Chinese-only language platform, and retailers are offered full translation and brand messaging to ensure relevance to the target audience. Moreover, consumers can pay in Chinese currency.
IBD handles all logistics. It ships directly to the buyer, and works with China customs as well as providing local customer service support.