A unique opportunity for UK retail brands to accelerate their market entry journey and/or expansion in China through exclusive access to retail buyers in China, leading market entry providers and China’s largest cross-border e-commerce marketplace.
- Stage one date and time: 1 November, 10:00 to 16:00 (GMT)
- Stage two date and time: To be arranged virtually in November based on brand and buyer availability
Ahead of a likely reopening of China’s borders from 2023, overseas retail brands must now prepare to fully reengage with their target audience in China and a consumer base that has undergone dramatic shifts over the past three years with new unique and refined demands from overseas brands. Timed ahead of the world’s largest online shopping festival (China’s Single’s Day on 11 November), this China retail accelerator and meet the buyer event has been designed to offer a unique opportunity for UK retail brands to make up for lost time and push forward with growth plans in the world’s largest consumer market.
We have interest from a panel of buyers and market entry providers to meet with brands in the following categories:
- Personal care
- Homewares
- Lifestyle
- Pet care
Once registered, successful brands will be invited to join two stages:
- Stage one: one-day group roundtable session in London alongside other participating brands for a bespoke workshop with China market entry experts (CBBC, China Skinny, Samarkand Global) and China's largest cross-border e-commerce marketplace (Tmall Global) to equip your brand with the knowledge and skills to speed up your market expansion journey into China, including:
- Workshops on navigating the retail environment, consumer trends, market entry strategy, working with partners, marketing, and online sales in China.
- Tailored feedback on your brand potential and online performance.
- Exclusive briefing from Tmall Global – China’s largest online cross-border e-commerce platform.
- The accelerator workshop will take place from 10:00 to 16:00 (GMT) on 1 November.
- Upon registering for stage one, each brand will be presented to a panel of retail buyers in China, opening the opportunity to hold meetings with three buyers in China with demand for your product(s) at stage two.
- While maximum return will be gained by brands who put themselves forward for both stages, we also invite brands to join stage one as a preparatory exercise if they don’t wish to commit to a subsequent buyer meeting this time.
- Stage two: buyer meetings will be delivered via a matchmaking service from the CBBC and subsidised by Santander UK. In addition, there will be an opportunity to explore Chinese consumer feedback on products through focus groups with UK-based influencers and student brand ambassadors. These will be subject to separate arrangement with CBBC. Each brand successfully selected for stage two will be notified and will receive the following upon receipt of relevant additional fees:
- Delivered in partnership with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), brands will be set up with online meetings with three different buyers in China, each with a track record and interest in your brand product(s).
- Support will be provided by Santander UK and CBBC throughout the matchmaking process, including before, during, and after the meetings to progress commercial negotiations and keep the relationships warm.
- ‘Meet the buyer’ sessions will be arranged virtually based on brand and buyer availability in November.
Please note:
- This event requires pre-approval to attend to ensure that your brand meets the relevant demand and/or criteria. This event is free for Santander Navigator subscribers, while for non-subscribers we’re offering a post-launch discounted charge of £750 to attend this meet the buyer event – £250 for stage one and £500 for stage two. Payment will only be taken once we have confirmed your place with the buyer/provider.
- Brands should have their trademark registered in China or be prepared to apply for trademark registration as part of the meet the buyer programme.
Join us
To register your interest, please click the button.
To find out more or if you have any questions please contact Alex Phillips or Sukh Nat.
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