Pursuits
China’s New Killer App Taps Huge Thirst for Japanese Goods
- App spurs online market set to reach 2.34 trillion yen by 2019
- Five million Chinese spent $13.7 billion in Japan last year
New Wandou App Helps Chinese Consumers Shop in Japan
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When Chen Xi wants to shop for Albion face lotion or Pola skin-whitening supplements, the Shanghai office worker turns to Princess and the Pea on her smartphone.
The app with the fairy tale name, called Wandou in Chinese, uses about 50 professional shoppers in Japan to procure everything from toilet-seat covers to toothpaste for consumers over in China. For Chen, it’s a way of getting safe and reliable everyday items without having to leave her home or the country, and shipping is free for orders over 300 yuan ($45).