International retailers join Chinese shoppers for Single’s Day

World Today

Australia is among the countries taking part in this year’s online shopping festival. For those companies already riding a wave of increasing Chinese demand, the chance to be seen by millions of consumers is laying the ground work for future trade.

CCTV’s Greg Navarro reports.

The preparations inside one of Chemist Warehouse’s Sydney stores for another day of trading paled in comparison to the work that’s been done for one massive day in China.

The vitamin and health supplement seller is one of several Australian companies participating in China’s online shopping festival this year.

It’s fully aware of the opportunity that exists in a country that has been part of its overseas strategy for a couple of years.

In 2015, Chemist Warehouse joined online retail platform Tmall.

Such sales have been fueled by an increased demand for Australian health supplements, beginning with the suitcase trade, Chinese consumers stocking up in Australian stores and sending goods back home.

That trend progressed to an explosion of “daigous” across Australia, people creating small businesses to handle that overseas demand which has grown into a billion dollar industry.

Many of those Australian companies have developed their own strategies for direct trade into China.

For a unique day of sales and exposure to a growing market that shows no signs of slowing.


Kitty Fok on Single’s Day online shopping in China

To further discuss the e-commerce popularity in China and the future of millennial consumption, CCTV America’s Rachelle Akuffo spoke with Kitty Fok, IDC China’s managing director.