E-retailer from China visits Yorkshire to meet potential buyers
One of the largest e-retailers in China is today visiting the region for a meet-the-buyer event involving 14 local companies.
Kaola.com, which has a customer base of over 800 million users and is currently providing access for over 5,000 new products and brands for the Chinese market, is looking to work with high-quality Yorkshire brands.
Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “It’s great that our relationship with Kaola, built over a number years, and our Memorandum of Understanding is yielding results with the second visit to Leeds City Region in six months.
“I’ve seen first-hand the potential of China and its expanding middle class market. Initiatives like this support our ambitious SMEs in the region by offering the opportunity to start exporting and enter this market. Get in touch with the LEP Growth Service to find out how we can help.”
The event is taking place across Harewood House and heritage wool manufacturers, Pudsey-based A W Hainsworth & Sons Ltd.
Diane Simpson, Director at A W Hainsworth & Sons Ltd, said: “Hainsworth has been trading in the Chinese market for over 20 years and we clearly see the commercial benefits. We’re delighted to host this meet-the-buyer event to help local companies reach their potential in this rapidly growing market.”
Companies taking part include Bolst Global, Something Wicked, Pink Pig, Picalilly, Principle Healthcare, Taste of Yorkshire, Alpaca Comfort, Multibrands, Little Lulus, Cougar Products, Symington’s and Hebtroco.
The opportunity for Yorkshire businesses in China is significant, with Chinese consumer behaviour changing at pace. In 2017 Chinese people purchased 28 percent more food and 18%t more clothes online.
