Today on The Negotiation, we talk with Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder & CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, discussing the largest single shopping day in the world, Singles Day, that eclipsed $30 billion in sales last year in a 24 hour period. Jacob helps us break down exactly what Singles Day is in China, how it works, and gives his expert advice for companies who want to be able to take advantage of this remarkable eCommerce extravaganza.
Show Notes
Today on The Negotiation, we talk with Jacob Cooke, co-founder of WPIC Marketing and Technologies. Jacob gives some expert advice for companies who are preparing for China’s Singles Day, also known as 11.11. Singles Day began several years ago as a marketing ploy from Alibaba Group who planned to make a purely commercial shopping holiday for the widest possible demographic, with an emphasis on big-ticket deals. 11.11 has since taken off and demonstrates a growth average of 30-40% year after year. For brands seeking a new growth strategy, it is imperative to prepare well for this popular shopping holiday.
Jacob goes into how companies can qualify for Singles Day. Needless to say, these brands have to have a proven track record of being able to deliver efficiently. Internal decisions should begin as early as August. Aspiring qualifiers should discuss which products to sell, discount strategies, and projections based on how much inventory to have by a set date. Companies must submit their proposal by the end of August and lock their stock so that other platforms will not be able to distribute their selected products. The final step is to conduct a presale that will last until 11.11 itself.
Jacob also recommends new brands to specifically emphasize discounts in their first couple of years around Singles Day for the sole purpose of getting as much exposure as possible. In the succeeding years, they should gradually return to standard pricing, which may result in fewer sales but, at the same time, higher margins.
The e-commerce landscape in China today has changed—and continues to change—the retail (and even wholesale) game. Listen in as Jacob lays out his best practices that any scaling company, whether already in China or seeking to enter the market, should apply to take full advantage of Singles Day.
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Despite being the world’s most potent economic area, Asia can be one of the most challenging regions to navigate and manage well for foreign brands. However, plenty of positive stories exist and more are emerging every day as brands start to see success in engaging and deploying appropriate market growth strategies – with the help of specialists.
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