Fliggy, the travel service platform of Alibaba Group, has launched its Fliggy Buy service, which offers overseas merchants a new solution to capture opportunities presented by the growing purchasing power of Chinese outbound travelers.
The service offers a new shopping channel for Chinese travelers to browse and buy goods on Fliggy before reaching their destination, picking them up in stores after they arrive.
Merchants on Fliggy Buy will include duty-free and tax-free stores, both overseas and within mainland China, internationally renowned brands, specialty local stores and an increasing range of shopping destinations. Furla Hong Kong and Laox of Japan have already joined this channel, and more merchants are expected to join.
Through Fliggy Buy, Chinese customers can access detailed information and buyers’ reviews about products, presented in their own language, prior to an overseas trip. This helps them understand features and compare prices across different merchants before committing to a purchase. They can ensure the items they want, especially limited editions, are in stock before the trip and make reservations online, as well as seek online customer service. Buying from duty-free and tax-free stores is an added benefit.
Chinese travelers using this service can choose from a range of products, including cosmetics, suitcases, bags and alcohol offered by popular merchants.
With users visiting 192 countries and regions in 2018, outbound travel is an important part of Fliggy’s business. Fliggy’s insights show an upward tendency of Chinese travelers spending overseas, as the average spending of these travelers grew 9% year-on-year in 2018.
As a key component of the Alibaba Economy, Fliggy is committed to promoting Alibaba Group’s “Global Fun” initiative. Global Fun together with Global Buy, Global Sell, Global Pay and Global Delivery are the five core aspects of Alibaba Group’s globalization strategy to realize its long-term vision of serving two billion consumers around the world and supporting 10 million businesses to operate profitably on its platforms by 2036.
