Tmall vs 360Buy: Suppliers Need to Pick One, and They Better Pick Right

It looks like a new China internet war is brewing. And this time the headlines revolve around B2C e-commerce powerhouse, Tmall and 360buy – China’s two biggest online malls. According to Nbdaily, Tmall and 360buy have each asserted pressure on their own brands and suppliers to choose just one platform for the upcoming sales and promotion season.

The situation is not looking good for the small- and medium-sized brands who rely on selling their products on the two huge sites. Some suppliers reflected that they were sort of “caught” in the middle and some of them claimed that they were forced to take part in the price war between the two. A representative from the Chinese jeans brand Jasonwood revealed that their products remained online despite declining to take part in the 360Buy price cut promotion. The rep commented, “Such actions are not acceptable.”

Other brand labels are feeling the pressure as well. Some of them claimed that Tmall enquired if they had taken part in the 360Buy price cut promotion. Most of the labels chose to remain silent regarding this incident, as they wish not to “offend” any of the parties involved. According to Nbdaily, Tmall and 360Buy have both responded to this speculation by insisting that the rumors were not true and that they did not “force” the numerous brands to take part in any of the price-slashing promotions.

The report cites a Tmall Pr manager as saying:

Tmall as an e-commerce platform has always given our clients the freedom to choose how they want to operate their sales.

Personally, if this kind of Tmall and 360Buy battle is indeed going on, I’d say that any intention of a price war should first consider the interests of consumers. By placing such fears and pressure on the brands who are their major suppliers, I don’t see how it is going to benefit and grow the entire e-commerce community.

[Source: Nbdaily via TechSina, Image]