The Australian retailer has launched its online store on Tmall Global, the overseas platform of Alibaba Group’s B2C Tmall business in China, which will enable Chinese consumers to order a range of products directly from Woolworths.
The Woolworths online store on Tmall Global will be the only official online store for Chinese consumers to purchase products from Woolworths. This will also provide an opportunity for Woolworths’ Australian suppliers to enter the China market. Australian products are increasingly being sought by China’s rapidly growing middle class, who are looking for high-quality and trusted international products.
“We’re delighted to have a retailer of Woolworths’ size and reputation open a store on Tmall Global,” Tmall Global Head of Australia, New Zealand and Japan regions Ken Ma said.
“Health and product safety is very important to Chinese consumers, who are very discerning in their choice of products and are willing to source them from trusted providers in countries like Australia.”
Woolworths FoodCo Director Steve Greentree said, “Woolworths is pleased to launch our store on Alibaba’s Tmall Global online site, opening up our business directly to Chinese consumers. We know there is a strong demand for high-quality, Australian-made products and we’re proud to be able to supply them into this market.”
Around 5,400 overseas brands from 25 countries and regions have opened stores on Tmall Global as a stepping stone into China, including a growing number of brands from the US, Germany, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Metcash began exporting Australian product, sold direct to consumers in China, through the Tmall platform late last year.