Tmall.com, which is trying to draw more Western merchants to sell to Chinese consumers through its leading B2C marketplace, has forged a deal with the French government that includes faster enrollment for French companies.
A memorandum of understanding between Alibaba Group, Tmall.com’s parent company, UBIFRANCE, the French government’s business development agency, and the Invest in France Agency calls for Tmall over the next three years to provide “express enrollment support” for French companies, according to a press release.
The deal, signed today, also calls for French brands and merchants selling on Tmall.com to get extra help with online promotion and marketing and unspecified “dedicated services,” and for Alibaba Group’s related epayments company, Alipay, and its affiliate China Smart Logistics to kick in payment remittance and logistics support.
More than 30 French brands already operate Tmall.com flagship storefronts, among them L’Oreal, evian, Biotherm, Lacoste, Le coq sportif, and Clarins.
“This agreement is a wonderful opportunity to allow more and more Chinese customers to discover new French brands through a modern system of distribution,” said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. Duringa stop at Alibaba Group’s Xixi Campus in Hangzhou, Fabiuswitnessed the signing ofthe MOU with Alibaba Group Executive Chairman Jack Ma. “We are confident it will significantly widen the choice of French products available for Chinese consumers who will enjoy their well-deserved reputation of high quality and security,” Fabius said in a prepared statement.
Ma first discussed the possibility of an agreement with Fabius during a visit to Paris in March. UBIFRANCE and the Invest in France Agency agreed to work with partners and private sector experts to help increase the volume of French exports to China through e-commerce.
On May 19, Tmall.com will launch a weeklong special promotion to highlight French brands. The “Elegance of France” campaign will showcase French lifestyle to Chinese consumers through exclusive product launches and limited-edition items from more than 30 featured French brands selling fashion and beauty products, food, home accessories and other merchandise.
