More Chinese exporters leverage e-commerce to build global empires
As more exporters go online, China's US$1.1tr target for e-commerce sales looks within reach
In a low-rise building in Quanzhou, a small coastal city in Fujian province, e-commerce entrepreneur Lin Shile is swapping ideas with his senior managers on how to expand his fashion business into Russia.
Lin, an early mover in a sector that is transforming China's retail market, has long had a firm focus on overseas sales.
Since opening his first online shop on eBay in 2006, Lin's firm, Fujian New Shiying Clothing Industrial, has grown from a small retailer into one of the country's largest online exporters of lingerie, swimwear and sexy, themed costumes.
Lin's vision to reach out directly to consumers abroad is shared by China's swelling ranks of online vendors. The value of cross-border e-commerce is expected to reach US$1.1 trillion by 2016, according to the Commerce Ministry, even as the country's export growth remains sluggish.
Lin's company, with shops on leading e-commerce platforms Amazon and Aliexpress, in addition to eBay, achieves average daily sales of 16,000 clothing and accessory items to customers and wholesalers in more than 100 countries, where it does the bulk of its business.
"We have plenty of plans on our plate next year, like developing new markets and establishing our brands in more overseas markets," Lin said.