Episode 69: E-Commerce Websites and Platforms in Japan Part 1 with Scott Scofield from COVUE
Apr 13, 2024
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Join Scott Scofield, CEO of COVUE, as he delves into the world of e-commerce in Japan. Explore the challenges and restrictions of opening accounts on Rakuten and Amazon. Gain insights into loyalty point systems, Yahoo Shopping, and the ease of creating accounts. Discover key strategies for success in the Japanese e-commerce market.
Rakuten's loyalty point system drives consumer engagement and loyalty, setting it as a formidable competitor in Japan's e-commerce market.
Entering the Japanese e-commerce market via platforms like Rakuten requires rigorous localization efforts to navigate market entry barriers.
Deep dives
Rakuten: The Veteran E-Commerce Platform in Japan
Rakuten, established in 1997, remains a key player in the Japanese e-commerce market with an annual revenue of $1.9 trillion. Offering not just shopping but also mobile services and a loyalty program, Rakuten caters to both older and younger demographics, focusing on consumer goods and electronics. Recently, Rakuten has been exploring strategies to integrate outside sellers into their platform, presenting a crossroads in their evolution.
Rakuten's Diversification and Market Competition
Beyond e-commerce, Rakuten's brand encompasses various sectors including travel, banking, and credit cards, integrating these services to engage consumers comprehensively. Rakuten's unique approach, backed by strong consumer loyalty through its innovative loyalty point system, positions it as a formidable competitor despite increasing market challenges.
Rakuten's Loyalty Point Program and Consumer Continuity
Rakuten's loyalty point system, a cornerstone of its success, offers a versatile and integrated rewards program utilized across its business units. This system fosters customer engagement and loyalty, driving continued patronage through diverse offerings, including credit cards, mobile services, and banking.
Rakuten's Market Entry Barriers and Localization Importance
Despite the allure of Rakuten's platform, market entry barriers remain high, requiring substantial capital and localization efforts. To thrive on Rakuten, foreign brands must navigate challenges related to language, compliance, and consumer support, emphasizing the significance of effective localization strategies for success on the platform.
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today we're joined by Scott Scofield, CEO of COVUE. COVUE is well-known as a brand operator in Japan where they provide a full-service market entry platform into Japan. From import to logistics to retail, COVUE is a one-stop solution for foreign brands who wish to enter Japan.
We are gonna do a two-part series with Scott with part one on e-commerce systems in Japan and part two will focus on logistics, compliance, and the other parts after selling.
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This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
00:00: Introduction 2:36: What is Rakuten? 8:24: Challenges of creating an account 10:35: Restrictions on opening an account 13:26: Unique insights on Rakuten’s loyalty point system 20:21: About Amazon 34:17: Further insights on Amazon 36:10: About Yahoo Shopping 53:12: Is it easy to create an account in Yahoo Shopping?
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Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.