China’s largest B2B e-commerce platform lands in Australia

Internet Retailing

1st Aug 2017

China’s largest B2B e-commerce platform, DHgate, has opened a physical showroom in Melbourne, making it easier for Australian retailers to import items from Chinese wholesalers.

Launching at the end of July, the Digital Trade Centre (DTC) acts as a comprehensive service centre, facilitating communication with wholesalers and providing after-sales service, product repairs, returns, refunds and exchanges and quality assurance guarantees.

While many Australian businesses already import products through DHgate’s online marketplace – which operates in over 200 countries – the launch of DTC means buyers no longer have to travel to China to inspect the quality of products before purchasing.

They can now touch and feel over 10,000 items in person at the 700sqm showroom.

The showroom also allows buyers to forge their own relationships with suppliers and negotiate on prices through purpose-built order stations. The order stations minimise the number of parties involved in product acquisition, helping DTC keep prices down.

DHgate said it analyses big data trends to ensure it stocks relevant, popular products with high-profit margins for resale during the right times of the year.

Founder and CEO of DHgate Diane Wang said she is excited to bring the first DTC to Australia. The company also has showrooms in Budapest, Hungary, and in Dubai, UAE.

“We are honoured to open our Oceanian Digital Trade Center in Australia, the heart of Oceania and look forward to sharing quality Chinese products and e-commerce expertise with the small-and-medium sized enterprises in the region,” Wang said.

The company offers free training for sales promotion, local product distribution and other essential e-commerce skills at the DTC showroom, which is located at 19-23 McNaughton Road in Clayton, Victoria.

The launch coincides with the announcement of a strategic partnership with local wholesaler, KD Trading Australia, to deliver smart home appliances, phone accessories and outdoor products to the market.