PayPal simplifies overseas buying for China's ferocious online shoppers

Research commissioned by PayPal this year found that more than half, (52%) of China’s online shoppers plan to start or increase cross-border buying.

However, the challenge lies in that China's bank card issuer, 'UnionPay' is not recognized or accepted by most foreign online merchants.

To ease the process, payment giant PayPal has partnered up with the card issuer to provide a direct link between billions of Chinese consumers and the system’s network of millions of global merchants. 

Shoppers expanded their foothold to over 100 countries and regions​

According to a recent report published by China's largest e-tailer Taobao.com; 2015 witnessed explosive growth in online shopping overseas, with new buyers accounting for 28 per cent, and with a preference for local specialties in other countries and regions.

The research carried out over a ten year period reveals that online shoppers in China have expanded their foothold to more than 100 countries and regions in 2015.

The most sought after products were reported to be cosmetics and skin care products, which have been bought by more than half of that 28 per cent of buyers.

"Newcomers prefer cosmetics while more experienced ones like food,"​ the report stated.                       

Previously, Chinese buyers were thought to prefer shopping websites in Hong Kong and Macao but have now switched their attention to the likes of the US.

China's rural villages also have a major effect on online purchases​

With 10 per cent of China's rural communities reportedly making a living selling products online, e-commerce retailers are making moves to invest in these merchants.

With little or no access to shopping malls, inhabitants of China's rural villages have no choice but to buy online, particularly with cosmetic products.

According to Kline, record numbers of consumers taking to the internet to make purchases has seen online beauty purchases spike by a record 200 per cent since 2006.

Although residents' incomes tend to be lower in small towns and counties, for every 100 yuan spent online; 57 yuan has been attributed to shoppers in third- and fourth-tier cities, greater than the national average of 39 yuan.

ln fact, the rural market will be worth 460 billion yuan ($74 billion) in 2016. 

E-retailers like Taobao and Alibaba have caught on to this and are actively investing in growing these numbers.