IP PROTECTION IN CHINA ’ S E-COMMERCE INDUSTRY
The evolution of e-commerce platforms over the past quarter-century has redefined the retail space as players transformed themselves from directories that provided merchant information to the comprehensive marketplaces so familiar today – featuring product recommendations , one-click purchases , the ability to pay online , door-to-door deliveries and after-sales services .
Intense competition in this sector has seen this evolution continue . Leading platforms have created new ways for consumers to interact socially as they seek to build a complete shopping experience . Social media platforms have moved into this space , transforming solitary and search-oriented experiences into interactive social commerce , and providing users with the opportunity to buy and sell goods and services in ways that didn ’ t exist a decade ago .
The success of the leading e-commerce platforms , which are among the world ’ s most valuable firms , is built on the benefits they bring to sellers and consumers alike .
Sellers gain by overcoming geographical limitations and being able to reach hundreds of millions of potential customers . Costs are lower , because sellers don ’ t need to operate and stock physical stores . Additionally , sellers can immediately see inventory levels , allowing for better inventory management and ensuring they can significantly shorten their inventory turnover cycle . This also ensures they can adjust products promptly to accommodate consumers ’ needs and preferences .
For their part , consumers enjoy convenience – particularly one-click purchasing and delivery to their door , which has proven vital during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic . They also benefit from being able to access millions of merchants , giving them a vast range of product choice , and they can get better deals by connecting directly with manufacturers , eliminating the costs and information-asymmetry associated with intermediaries . Consumers also have access to betterquality goods , such as fresher fruits .
PROJECTED GROWTH IN E-COMMERCE SALES IN 7 KEY MARKETS * ( USD BILLION )
3,535
* US , Canada , China , France , Germany , Latin America , UK Source : https :// www . emarketer . com / content / global-ecommerce-2019
6,542
This value that e-commerce brings to sellers and consumers has underpinned its rapid growth . A study found that e-commerce in seven key markets ( the US , Canada , China , France , Germany , Latin America and the UK ) reached US $ 3.535 trillion in 2019 , comprising 14.1 percent of total retail sales , 1 and not far behind Germany ’ s 2019 GDP . 2
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Global Ecommerce 2019 : Ecommerce Continues Strong Gains Amid Global Economic Uncertainty , eMarketer ( June 27 , 2019 ). See : https :// www . emarketer . com / content / global-ecommerce-2019
See : https :// www . imf . org / external / pubs / ft / weo / 2019 / 02 / weodata / index . aspx
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