UCWeb, mobile browser company now owned by Alibaba, updated its mobile browser to cooperate with Tmall to promote shopping privilege by giving out red envelops (or hongbao, a frequently used mobile marketing tactic) worth RMB60 million (USD 9.7 million). New version will support users to log in with Taobao account so users can enjoy convenience and shopping privilege on UC mobile browser.
On the iOS and Android platform, UC browser’s monthly user coverage accounted for 65.9%, ranking the top in China mobile browser market.
UC browser’s cooperation with Tmall started on 23 September 2014 in China. UC mobile browser users who shop on Tmall can enjoy privilege including special offers, Tmall credits and lottery. UCWeb merged into Alibaba group in June 2014. It is believed that UC mobile browser will become an important entry for Alibaba in China.
A significant portion of Alibaba customers have begun transacting on the mobile platform, and in the three months ended June 30, 2014, mobile GMV accounted for 32.8% of their GMV, up from 27.4% in the preceding three months and from 12.0% in the same period in the previous year.
China mobile shopping market total transactions reached RMB168.39 billion (US$27.3 billion) in the second quarter of 2014, representing 26.8% of total online shopping transactions in the same period in China, an increase of 24.6% compared with the first quarter.
Also read: China Mobile Shopping in Rapid Development