Amazon eyes China as global gateway

(Left) Elaine Chang, president of Amazon China, says the company's rollout of its Kindle tablet in China has been a major success, with more than 660 Chinese publishing companies making 420,000 books available for the device. Linda Deng / China Daily (Right) Amazon employees pack and ship customer orders at Amazon Fullfillment Center in Tracy, CA. The Amazon US fulfillment network consists of more than 50 fulfillment centers, over 20 sortation centers and more than 90,000 full-time employees. Provided to China Daily

Chang said the active customer accounts of Amazon Global Store in Z.cn significantly increased since its launch in November 2014.

"All of this shows our long-term commitment to the Chinese market," Chang said. "China is important not only because the market is very huge with lots of potential, but also the fiercely competitive e-commerce environment will let us learn how to better serve our customers in China, and guide us in improving customer services in our other global markets."

Amazon was No. 1 in the Internet Retailer 2016 Top 500 Guide, which ranks North American retailers by online sales, and No. 4 in the China 500.

"Global supply and logistics systems are unique advantages of Amazon," Chang said. "It aims to bridge the connection between quality goods and Chinese consumers."

For more and more Chinese sellers and brands that want to go global, Amazon has become a priority partner, with their global strategy of continuing to open new markets and add more selection of goods.

At the same time, with Amazon's logistics global infrastructure in place, it will be able to open networks up to other shippers at a competitive rate.

Last year, a Chinese robotic vacuum brand called Ecovacs became one of the sales champions at Amazon.com during the Thanksgiving Day 17-hour promotion. Their flagship model DN78 sold at an average rate of 1,000 per hour. The same day sales of $1.76 million also made it the No. 1 seller in the robot category and fourth place in the home and kitchen supplies category.

"We are eager to build a world-class household robot brand," David Qian, Ecovacs' head of international business, said. "Amazon's 'Global Selling' can help us better tap the needs of overseas markets, help us to provide more suitable products for overseas consumers and build the brand. We look forward to opening up more overseas markets through Amazon's 'Global Selling' in the near future."

lindadeng@chinadailyusa.com