Tips for Chinese Shopaholics on 2014 Black Friday

 Usually, people choose to use overseas shopping agents or "Haitao", but this year the situation has changed as Chinese e-commerce firms and U.S. retailers are looking for ways to cut into the traditional American shopping bonanza this week.

1). Amazon.cn

E-commerce giant Amazon's China branch Amazon. cn has announced its launching, for the first time, a 'Black Friday' overseas shopping window for Chinese consumers on Friday and Saturday. During these two days, domestic consumers in China will be able to access some 35-thousand products with discounts of up to 30-percent. For China Merchants Bank (CMBC) credit card holders, consumers can also enjoy free international shipping.

2) "Direct Purchase" from U.S. Giant Shopping Malls

At the same time, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is launching an 'overseas direct purchasing' service as part of 'Black Friday.'

Thanks to cooperation with Alipay, the most popular online payment in China, consumers can now purchase products directly through four U.S. retail giants, namely Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

The goods purchased via Alipay on Black Friday will be mailed directly to China, so no freight agencies will be needed, meaning it will save more time.

3) Shopping Agents

The most traditional way to shop overseas during the shopping season is to find an agent online, which acts as a transitional platform to buy overseas products for Chinese consumers.

However, with American retailers starting to realize the importance of the Chinese market, it will be stressful for these agents so as to gain profit from Chinese consumers this year.

Concerns Still Remain

The impact of ''Black Friday" has gradually penetrated into Chinese market, especially through online platforms; however, there is still a way to go for the western shopping bonanza to finally convince Chinese consumers. Here, we have listed several factors that might influence the expansion of "Black Friday" shopping in China.

1) Overseas Delivery Takes Long

Usually, it will take more than half a month or longer to receive goods mailed overseas.

2) Expensive

Overseas shopping always comes with high taxes and costly delivery fees.

3) Not very good timing

Since "Black Friday" lies between Double 11 and the Chinese New Year Shopping Season, it is not a good time to promote sales for overseas retailers. 

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