XLobo collects and bundles individual parcels at overseas locations and ships them to China as a single consignment. It now owns 15 international logistics centers around the world to ensure direct mail within five days of purchase, on average.
"The number of logistics service professionals has doubled. We have expanded the warehouse space in New York, San Francisco and Osaka," said Zeng.
Chinese e-commerce companies, such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and JD.com Inc, have also developed their cross-border businesses.
Professional agents ease path for Chinese shoppers
Cindy, a Chinese immigrant in California, has managed to transform herself from a housewife into a successful leader in charge of a team of buyers at Ymatou.com, the Chinese cross-border e-commerce platform.
Six years ago, she quit her job and moved to the United States with her husband, but ended up divorcing.
"I couldn't speak English, so I stayed home, while my husband was out there working, fitting into the new environment. We were drifting apart," she said.
Things changed when she took a shot at Ymatou, which hires people living abroad as local agents to buy foreign products for customers in China.
"Every morning after dropping off my two little daughters at school, I shop to fulfill new orders and finish picking new products with my team in three hours."
"It's never as easy as shopping from store to store. We are rushing about in sneakers with a big canvas bag on our shoulders," Cindy added.
"A customer once asked for a refund of an expensive dress due to a problem with the manufacturer and I finally agreed."
Cindy said that such flexibility earned her customers' trust and paved the way for more sales.
She said that satisfied customer then introduced her to many of her friends and sometimes even allowed her to pick their outfits for them.
To meet customers' demand, Cindy's team explores new and more diversified products. They even spread the word about unknown and up-and-coming brands with their customers.
"I'm sensing that consumers are now looking for higher and higher standards. They've started to care more about a good shopping experience and high quality than just the price," said Cindy.
With an expanding customer base and a sharper market sense, Cindy dreams someday she'll raise enough money and create her own brand, to more thoroughly serve her customers.
