Rumor: Alipay to Launch Offline Payment Service
Sina Tech, 3/02/12
Chinese third-party payment processor Alipay has reportedly released a COD payment service for use by e-commerce firms, according to a source in the e-commerce industry. Besides handling order placements, the service also provides real-time funds and logistics information tracking. Alipay may also launch POS terminals as part of the service.
The source learned of the service during an Alipay internal e-commerce-related meeting. During a small meeting with e-commerce executives a few days ago, Alipay revealed its custom payment service strategy, which would offer a system providing a comprehensive business payment service covering online, offline, and mobile payment. The service is aimed at meeting the specific needs of large e-commerce platforms, and offline payment constitutes a key part of the strategy.
Nearly 70% of B2C e-commerce market transactions are completed by COD, according to an industry source, but the market for this kind of payment solution isn't mature. Many delivery service personnel carry two POS terminals - one for scanning items and delivery information, and another for completing China UnionPay payments. Alipay aims to combine both functions into a single POS device. According to the source, merchants would open an Alipay account and Alipay would settle transactions between merchants and banks.
Alipay obtained a national third-party payment license in May 2011, which enables it to process bank card payments.
An Alipay representative confirmed the existence of the plan, but declined to reveal additional details.
Keywords: e-commerce Internet Alipay B2C mobile payment POS third-party payment
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