babygreenspots
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 1,203
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I found this amusing, but it is really very frightening.
http://search1.taobao.com/browse/30/...d-0-all-30.htm
Please consider that almost every one of these listings offers each item in many sizes and styles, potentially in bulk. Paul Smith can also be found on the sites of wholesalers, not to mention on retail. Check out the bags if you have a chance. This is just the men's stuff. Compare this to the total number of Paul Smith items on US and UK ebays.
Paul Smith is a big brand, but not exactly the very most mainstream type of brand like Gucci or Prada. It's ironic, because just a year ago I read an interview with Sir Paul Smith about his entry to this market, and he commented that his brand probably wouldn't suffer like more recognizable ones.
Taobao is China's domestic competitor for Ebay. It is run by Alibaba. The penetration of ecommerce in China is not deep. It has not gained acceptance beyond the usual list of prosperous coastal cities. This is due to internal logistics that still lags behind developed regions and buying habits of consumers. So, this is China with its 1.3 billion customers, but the consumer base for the stuff you see selling is a mere fraction of what it will be.
http://search1.taobao.com/browse/30/...d-0-all-30.htm
Please consider that almost every one of these listings offers each item in many sizes and styles, potentially in bulk. Paul Smith can also be found on the sites of wholesalers, not to mention on retail. Check out the bags if you have a chance. This is just the men's stuff. Compare this to the total number of Paul Smith items on US and UK ebays.
Paul Smith is a big brand, but not exactly the very most mainstream type of brand like Gucci or Prada. It's ironic, because just a year ago I read an interview with Sir Paul Smith about his entry to this market, and he commented that his brand probably wouldn't suffer like more recognizable ones.
Taobao is China's domestic competitor for Ebay. It is run by Alibaba. The penetration of ecommerce in China is not deep. It has not gained acceptance beyond the usual list of prosperous coastal cities. This is due to internal logistics that still lags behind developed regions and buying habits of consumers. So, this is China with its 1.3 billion customers, but the consumer base for the stuff you see selling is a mere fraction of what it will be.
