A curious trend is sweeping the global e-commerce landscape: "reverse haitao". This refers to the growing phenomenon of international consumers, even those who don't understand Mandarin, increasingly turning to Chinese online platforms to purchase "Made in China" goods.
Once a niche activity primarily undertaken by overseas Chinese communities, reverse haitao is now gaining mainstream traction, fueled by the rise of sophisticated Chinese e-commerce platforms and a shifting perception of Chinese manufacturing.
The term haitao, meaning "sea shopping," traditionally described Chinese consumers buying goods from overseas. Now, the flow is reversing. Viral tutorials on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 Christmas season, saw search terms like "How to shop on TAOBAO" and "How to buy on TAOBAO" skyrocket.
These videos guided international users through the intricacies of navigating Chinese e-commerce giants like Taobao, Pinduoduo, and JD...
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