Vancl to Launch Open Platform
Tencent Tech, 4/17/13
Speaking at the China Shoes and Apparel Industry E-Commerce Summit today, Chen Nian, CEO of Chinese B2C clothing website Vancl, said that Vancl will take measures to create an open platform. Though Vancl once believed that it could handle sales of all footwear and apparel products itself, Chen said, it has found that more narrowly differentiated product categories - such as athletic wear, women's shoes, and women's apparel - are a weak spot for the company. Rather than attempting to go it alone, Vancl will invite traditional companies in these areas to set up shop on its open platform. The athletic goods category where Vancl has been experimenting heavily, for instance, will be opened up to ANTA, Xtep, and other brands.
Traditional brands joining Vancl's open platform will be required to complement Vancl's own positioning in the areas of fashion, high quality and low prices, and quality services. Chen noted that the first two criteria will be of particular interest to Vancl as it selects partner brands.
Vancl currently has two business divisions working to develop the open platform, and is continuing to make adjustments to its operations and organizational structure in order to pave the way for the new platform.
Keywords: strategy Chen Nian Vancl apparel e-commerce Internet B2C open platform female online fashion