Etao to Introduce Offline Product Price Comparison
Ebrun, 5/03/13
Can Xue, director of operations for Hangzhou-based C2C & B2C e-commerce site Taobao's e-commerce search engine Etao, reported today that Etao will add price comparison for products in offline stores to its search engine this year, allowing customers to compare online and offline prices.
Etao will begin collecting offline product data in May with the launch of a new "cloud store" tool for its mobile client application. The tool, aimed at offline merchants, will allow store owners to scan products' QR codes to upload product information to Etao's servers, and will make use of handsets' location data to pinpoint offline store locations. Etao is currently in talks with mobile handset manufacturers about the possible launch of more accurate positioning features that will enable Etao to accurately determine on which floor of a building an offline store is located.
Can Xue said that Etao is currently discussing partnerships with offline retail chains including IT product retail chain Hisap. The "cloud store" feature will begin with businesses offering 3C, home appliance, and apparel products, but may expand beyond these offerings in the future. Etao expects the new feature to help consumers stay better informed of rapidly changing pricing in offline apparel retailers' seasonal offerings.
Keywords: Can Xue Taobao Internet Etao e-commerce search online search
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