Internet Retailer Launches an E-Commerce News Site in Chinese

CHICAGO, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet Retailer®, the leading publisher of strategic business information for e-commerce executives, announced today the launch of Dianshang500.com, a Mandarin-language web site that will report daily on cross-border online retail sales, Western brands and retailers selling online in China, Chinese companies expanding their online sales abroad and best practices of e-retailers from around the world.

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The launch follows the release this week of Internet Retailer's China 500 guide in Mandarin. That e-commerce research publication, released in English in February, provides comprehensive financial, web site performance, operational and marketing details on the 500 leading e-retailers in China, now the world's largest national e-commerce market.

Spearheading the new Chinese-language web site and the Chinese version of the China 500 is Frank Tong, a Tianjian, China, native who serves as Internet Retailer's senior editor for China since August 2013. Mr. Tong is based in the company's Chicago headquarters.

Dianshang500.com, which translates as "500 e-retailers" in English, will provide opportunities for Chinese readers to comment on and ask questions about the news reports on the site, which is being hosted in Hong Kong. Internet Retailer has also established an account on the Chinese social network Sina Weibo as a way to interact with readers.

"We're investing heavily in bringing global e-commerce news to Chinese executives in their own language because of China's growing importance in global online retailing," says Molly Rogers, CEO of Vertical Web Media, LLC, which publishes Internet Retailer and its Top 500 research guides. "China now leads the world in online retail sales and we're committed to providing reliable data and reporting to both Chinese executives about the rest of the world and our readers in other countries about China."

Industry executives on both sides of the Pacific recognize the importance of Internet Retailer's Chinese-language initiatives. "Internet Retailer has established itself as an insightful, independent source when it comes to global e-commerce research and analyses," says John W. Spelich, vice president of international e-commerce business development at Alibaba Group, China's dominant e-commerce company. "We congratulate them on their international expansion and continuing commitment to bringing the world's fastest-growing and most dynamic e-commerce news to its readers internationally."

Yang Xiaoying, vice president of strategy at Chinese e-retailer Xiu.com, praises Internet Retailer's data. "Internet Retailer's database is a great information resource and helps us find good international partners," she says. "Our goal is to bring more overseas brands into China and help Chinese consumers improve their quality of life."

For media inquiries, contact Don Davis, editor-in-chief, Internet Retailer magazine, at 312.362.0014.

ABOUT INTERNET RETAILER®

The flagship brand of Vertical Web Media, Internet Retailer® provides comprehensive e-commerce business intelligence through print and digital channels, including a monthly magazine, several research guides, web sites, online databases and e-mail newsletters. Internet Retailer, launched in March 1999, is the largest monthly magazine in e-retailing with more than 44,000 subscribers. Launched in 2000 and completely revamped in 2010, InternetRetailer.com is the most visited informational web site in e-commerce. Featuring industry news that is updated daily, the site attracts more than 425,000 unique monthly visitors. IRNewsLink, an e-mail newsletter of daily e-commerce news, is sent out every weekday to more than 49,000 subscribers.

ABOUT VERTICAL WEB MEDIA

Vertical Web Media is a privately held, Chicago-based publisher that focuses on providing business intelligence for the e-commerce industry. Founded and led by journalists, the company aims to be the largest and most credible provider of objective business information on the market trends, technology, competitive practices and people shaping online retailing. Starting with Internet Retailer magazine, launched in 1999, Vertical Web Media has since introduced more than a dozen competitive data products and is now the largest publisher in e-commerce. Through its Internet Retailer® brand, the company operates a monthly magazine, two web sites, a daily e-mail newsletter, and 12 research guides—strategic content designed to equip e-commerce executives with the competitive data they need to help grow their online businesses.

SOURCE Internet Retailer