Apple has launched an online store on China’s WeChat app, the Tencent-owned platform said on Tuesday. With a user base of over 1.2 billion, WeChat is China’s largest messaging platform. Often described as a “super app”, it offers more than just instant messaging functionality, providing a wide range of additional features and services.
The company said that the users would be able to buy Apple Products including iPhones, iPads and Macs from the store.
Customers who place orders through WeChat can enjoy free shipping, and select users may have the option to pay for three-hour delivery. Additionally, Tencent mentioned that users will have access to other Apple services, such as the trade-in program.
Apple’s decision comes in response to the shifting consumer behavior in China, where there is a growing trend among Chinese consumers to use social media platforms like WeChat and ByteDance’s Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok) for their shopping needs.
Despite its strict control over retail channels, Apple has been intensifying its presence on China’s prominent internet platforms in recent years. Apple has established an authorized store on Tmall, Alibaba’s e-commerce platform. Additionally, JD.com, the second-largest online retailer in China, serves as an official reseller of Apple products.
Outside of the United States, China holds significant importance as one of Apple’s key markets. According to research firm Counterpoint, the iPhone 13 series claimed the top three positions in the chart of best-selling phones in China for the year 2022.
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