Rakuten, Japan’s e-commerce market leader, and JD.com, China’s largest direct online sales company, on Wedbnesday announced the signing of an agreement to establish a Rakuten online flagship store on JD Worldwide, JD.com’s cross-border platform.
With the goal of bringing the best Japanese products to Chinese consumers, Rakuten launched a beta version of a new online marketplace on JD Worldwide this month. Plans are underway to expand the merchandise range over time, with an initial focus on categories such as cosmetics, snacks and health food products.
Masato Takahashi, Managing Executive Officer of Rakuten, said, “The new partnership between Rakuten and JD.com will promote cross-border trade by connecting Chinese consumers with authentic and popular Japanese products from a top selection of Rakuten’s merchants from around Japan, both small and large. Rakuten will continue to work to expand our offering to Chinese consumers.”
“This cooperation with Rakuten continues to expand our offer of authentic and high-quality imported Japanese products, which have proven very popular,” said Haoyu Shen, CEO of JD Mall. “Our focus remains on partnering with the most trusted retailers in key overseas markets to meet the growing demand for premium imported products.”
Expansion of the product line-up will continue over the coming months.
Rakuten flagship store on JD Worldwide: http://rakuten.jd.hk/
© Japan Today
3 Comments
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M3M3M3
What the article doesn't mention is that the only reason Rakuten is forced to work with a local Chinese company is because the Chinese government blocks access to Rakuten.co.jp from within China. Why anyone still wants to do business in with China or Chinese companies is beyond me.
NG12345
China is next-gen. Japan is so last last-gen, sadly ofc since i love Japan, the land of deez nuts! Gotem!
sighclops
Holding the title for the worst website design in Japan aside, Rakuten's biggest weakness has always been postage costs in an extremely messy marketplace (ie. their ecosystem is a atrocious). Until they can address this, they'll never be a true global player.