The epidemic has raged for nearly two years and has changed the consumption patterns of some Hong Kong people, and they have gradually become accustomed to online shopping.
Hong Kong people often jokingly say that Japan is "half a country", but under the epidemic, citizens cannot travel outside. The online store "Two In-laws Japan Department Store" is seizing the opportunity to open at the beginning of last year. Its development has gradually taken shape and has become two Japanese sake cups. The agent of the brand.
However, the founder of the online store revealed that the air freight under the epidemic has risen by about 20% in just two years, rising to 50 yuan per kilogram.
In order to obtain more sources of goods and save logistics costs, he obtained a Japanese business management visa in recent months, plans to open an office in Tokyo, and hired people in Japan and Hong Kong to take charge of the paperwork.
"It is expected that after the investment in Japan, the business volume will be higher in the future, so I have first decided to solve the problem of logistics cost locally."
In order to record the experience of traveling and shopping in Japan, Japanese enthusiast Derek Lai and his wife set up a special travel guide page "Two parents-in-laws are going to Japan when they sell their property" in 2017.
(Facebook page photo)
Unexpectedly discover online shopping opportunities by opening a travel page
Although the epidemic has brought about a "retail winter," and while businesses and restaurants have closed down, there are risks and opportunities, and business opportunities for entrepreneurship.
The online store "Two Grandparents Japan Department Store" was founded by Japanese enthusiast Derek Lai and his wife. They visited Japan at least 4 times a year for sightseeing and shopping before the epidemic.
In order to record the experience of traveling and shopping in Japan, they set up a special travel guide page in 2017, "Two parents-in-laws are going to Japan when they sell their property."
Until the beginning of the outbreak last year, they could no longer shop in Japan due to customs clearance. To save freight, they bought multiple pieces of Mount Fuji glue, which exceeded the quantity needed for their own use, and sold them on a special page. The response was enthusiastic and many readers inquired. Unexpectedly discover business opportunities.
"It's been a few days after wiping the glue, and people keep buying inbox and our helper."
Derek Lai (second from left) decided to devote himself to the online shopping market and opened a commercial account in Carousell to establish an online store, initially focusing on selling kitchen supplies.
(Photo by Ouyang Dehao)
Mainly sell Japanese gifts and wine glasses at Carousell
At that time, Lai Yongnuo had resigned from a high-paying financial-related job in order to take care of his newborn son, so he resolutely decided to join the online shopping market.
Before that, because baby items were not suitable for an instant, it was a pity to throw them away, and finally put them on the second-hand online shopping platform Carousell for sale.
Therefore, in addition to continuing to operate a special page, he also opened a commercial account in Carousell to establish an online store, initially selling kitchen supplies.
Later, Lai Yongnuo's business gradually got on track and became the agent of two Japanese sake glass brands. At present, he concentrates on selling Japanese gifts, hand-made works and glasses, and also purchases Japanese sake and fruit for regular customers.
He revealed that because the sales of gifts depend on the holiday season, an average of about 50 sets are sold every week.
In addition, there are other companies that order one or two boxes of the wine glass brands they represent, which accounts for half of the overall profit.
However, he admitted that he has not yet turned into a profit, and his income is not as good as his previous work. He believes that the online store will take time to gradually establish.
Derek Lai revealed that Japan’s air freight to Hong Kong has risen by about 20% in just two years, rising to 50 yuan per kilogram.
(Photo by Luo Guohui)
Shipping costs rise by 20% within two years to open an office in Tokyo to reduce costs
However, Lai Yongnuo is confident in future operations. Recently, he has obtained a Japanese business management visa and plans to open an office in Tokyo. He plans to hire people from Japan and Hong Kong to handle paperwork and logistics.
He pointed out that the rent in downtown Tokyo is not cheap, and the rent is about the same as in Hong Kong.
When customs clearance between the two places resumes, he intends to stay in Japan half of the year, combining work and entertainment, "it is a wish." But when asked if he would consider immigrating to Japan, he said that he needs to experience Japanese life and culture. , And understand the education system.
"I haven't lived in Japan, I haven't lived with my family in the past, and I will consider it because of my child in the future."
Recently, however, the wholesalers of different goods have expressed that the freight rate has been rising. Derek also agreed that logistics accounted for a lot of operating costs. 50 RMB.
He believes that opening an office in Japan will not only make it easier to obtain sources of goods and agents, but also reduce logistics costs.
"It is expected that after the investment in Japan, the business volume will be higher in the future, so I have first decided to solve the problem of logistics cost locally."
Derek Lai and his wife (first and second from left), the owner of the online store "Two In-laws of Japan Department Store", and Huang Junren, the new managing director of Carousell Hong Kong (second from right).
(Photo by Ouyang Dehao)
Quit work and switch to online shopping business to take time to have children
However, with the increase in the number of vaccinated people worldwide, customs clearance may be expected in the future. Asked if you are worried about the loss of online shopping business by then, investment will be in vain.
Derek said bluntly that he was not worried, saying that the styles of the goods in his online store are not available for Hong Kong residents to buy. At the same time, customers usually patronize for gifts, which is different from travel and shopping for personal use. "For example, there are some goods in Tokyo, but not in Osaka. You must see it."
In addition to changing the consumption patterns of Hong Kong people, the epidemic has also created opportunities for the development of online stores.
Derek pointed out that, in contrast to the fact that the flow of people in physical stores is concentrated on weekends, customers of online stores are generally active on weekdays, making his time more flexible, and he can respond to customer questions at any time, recommend the most suitable products, and highlight the advantages of Japanese travel experts. .
Since then, Derek has also been able to spare time to take care of his son. “It’s not the same as before. It’s nine to five.” However, he said frankly that he needs to pay attention to whether the advertising costs of different online shopping platforms are directly proportional to the effect. “The cost of opening an online store is a lot. , The competition is bigger than imagined. The reality is that more advertising and promotion will lead to more sales."
Huang Junren, the new managing director of Carousell Hong Kong, pointed out that business continues to improve under the epidemic.
(Photo by Ouyang Dehao)
Carousell: Double-digit increase in the number of goods on the shelves and transaction volume
And Huang Junren, the new managing director of Carousell Hong Kong, revealed that as consumer culture has changed, physical stores may not be the most important consideration for businesses.
He also pointed out that business continues to improve under the epidemic. Lunch and 10pm to 1am are the peak hours of local network traffic, which compensates for the consumption channels after physical stores are closed. The number of goods on the shelves and transaction volume of Carousell, Get double-digit increase.
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