Taobao online users in Malaysia can experience shopping for products in a new environment as Alibaba Group announced that it will be opening a physical store soon.
A new 5,000sqf Taobao Store by Lumahgo is slated to begin operating at MyTown Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 29.
The company said it's the largest physical Taobao outlet, with a collection of homegrown brands and products, in Malaysia. Previously, Taobao products were sold as part of a selection of goods at a retail space in Viva Mall in Cheras, KL.
The store will allow shoppers to select items by scanning a QR code and finalising the purchase through the Taobao app. Users will get assistance from staff to help them with product selection.
"Our objective is to provide more touch points for consumers of all ages in Malaysia, especially those who are not familiar with shopping online. Having a physical space means shoppers will be able to touch and feel a variety of products in person before making a purchase on the Taobao app simply by scanning a QR code, with the help of our staff at the store," said Fabian Kong, CEO of Lumahgo New Retail Sdn Bhd.
Shoppers can get a glimpse of how the Taobao Store by Lumahgo operates at a pop-up store from now till Nov 10 as part of the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival in MyTown Shopping Centre.
The pop-up store is expected to feature products under categories like mum-and-baby, beauty, and home electronics.
The upcoming 11.11 (Nov 11) online shopping day will see 200,000 brands and merchants offering one new million products on Taobao and Tmall.
Last year, consumers spent over RM213.5bil during the 24-hour shopping period, according to figures provided by the company.
(Thanks to The Star Online)