China’s Digital Economy: Supporting Australian SMEs Growth in China

16 March 2021: COVID-19 has accelerated the shift to a digital marketplace, and nowhere more quickly than China. As the home of technology giants including Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent, China has one of the world’s fastest evolving digital economies and a range of eCommerce platforms.                      

  • Almost 800 million Chinese shoppers snapped up over $1 billion of Australian goods at the world's biggest shopping festival, Singles' Day in China.[1] 
  • 2,000+ Australian brands joined the shopping festival selling directly to Chinese consumers.[2] 
  • eCommerce volumes in China grew rapidly over 2020, with China on-track to overtake the US as the largest retail market in the world.[3]
  • The average revenue per user in the eCommerce market in China is expected to reach AUD $1,915 by 2024.[4] 

China’s digital landscape continues to grow and develop and organisations that want to succeed in China must build new capabilities ​​to navigate the opportunities.

A deeper understanding of eCommerce for Australian SMEs

Asialink Business has developed The China Digital Economy Academy program, supported by The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations. In partnership  with Austrade and Australia Post, the program is designed specifically for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) who are currently doing business in, or with, China.

 

The program supports SMEs in gaining a deeper understanding of eCommerce in China and builds agility and capability to adapt to the fast-moving market conditions and consumer preferences. On completion of the mandatory eCommerce modules of the program, SMEs will have access to business matching opportunities, and consultations with in-country experts from Austrade, and the opportunity to discuss the right shipping services for your needs with an Australia Post logistics expert.

The Program will build capability in two core streams:​

  • Stream 1 China eCommerce: this includes modules on China’s eCommerce platforms, targeting the right customers, leveraging digital and social marketing, and planning for eCommerce success.
  • Stream 2 Building China Cultural Capability: this includes modules on understanding the Chinese mindset, doing business in a virtual environment and negotiation in a Chinese context.  ​

Now is the time for Australian SMEs to develop the capabilities ​​to navigate, operate and thrive in this fast-evolving digital landscape.  To find out more and/or to register for The China Digital Economy Academy, click here. 

1. & 2.  Xiao, B. (2020), Australian businesses prosper in the world's biggest shopping festival despite trade tensions with China, ABC News. 
3. Cramer-Flood, E. (2021), In global historic first, ecommerce in China will account for more than 50% of retail sales, eMarketer, Insider Intelligence.
4. Australia Post (2020), Inside Australian Online Shopping: 2020 eCommerce Industry Report.