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Global OConnect is a Chinese online to offline (O2O) cross-border e-commerce service provider. As an offline business affiliate of OSell Group, it specializes in setting up showrooms and warehouses and organizing trade fairs. OConnect is involved in planning and creating blueprints, and building experience centers for OSell, spaces for buyers to physically view products they have chosen online. Once orders are placed through OSell's B2B platform, they are shipped quickly from local warehouses that OConnect has strategically placed in various spots across the world. OConnect shares the same vision as OSell, which is to take high-tech and premier Chinese brands to the global market.[5] The company will also help solve financial, logistical and local access problems for all parties.
The company focuses on small and medium sized enterprises which constitute 80% of its trading volume.[6][7]
Operations and History
Founded in 2015, OConnect was incorporated as a private limited company in January 2016, in Hong Kong.[1][6] In May 2015, it established its first showroom in Moscow, Russia. The 2,000sqm showroom features a demonstration area for products and rooms for negotiations, workshops and conferences.[8] The opening was accompanied by an O2O Internet Trade Fair.[6] In September, the showroom hosted the Zhaoqing/Moscow Cross-Border E-Commerce High-Quality Product Show where manufacturers from Zhaoqing showcased their products. In October, it hosted the Russia-China E-Commerce summit, which was co-organized by parent company OSell.[9]
In March 2016, it signed an agreement to open a showroom in Prague, Czech Republic for Chinese products, and a reciprocal showroom for Czech products in Chongqing, China. In May 2016, it made an entry into the Middle Eastern and North African markets, with its flagship showroom in Dubai Investment Park, Dubai, UAE.[10][7] With a floor area of 15,000 square feet, this showroom is equipped to extend both logistical and financial assistance to the customers.[10] According to Kevin Fenn, the founder, this showroom is expected to increase trade volumes by 19% and partner networks by 25%.[10]
In late June 2016, OConnect made its way into the North American market with the launch of an exhibition warehouse in Toronto, Canada.[11] On the 30th of June 2016, it began expanding operations closer to home opening a flagship exhibition warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.[12] A second warehouse in Hanoi, Vietnam is planned for later this year.[12]
Services
OConnect works on the "Internet + Overseas Warehouse 2.0" model.[13] It works by acting as an intermediary between global retailers and Chinese suppliers. Parties communicate via the OSell app and retailers can then view their chosen products at their local sample showrooms. On finalizing the deal, orders are shipped directly from local warehouses. Its services include providing integrated solutions to purchasing including third-party logistics and payment collection services.[11]
Showrooms
As of July 2016, it has showrooms in Moscow, Russia (textiles and household goods);[14] Toronto, Canada;[11] Dubai, UAE (household goods); Warsaw, Poland (home supplies and textiles)and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. By the end of 2016, it hopes to have an additional 20 showrooms established across the world. OConnect plans to expand further by constructing 50 interactive showrooms in Asia, Africa and Europe, in the near future.[15]
Trade Fairs
- 1st International Electronic Trading Fair – Dongguan-Moscow, at CEC Sokolnik, Moscow, Russia (May to October 2015)[8]
- Zhaoqing (China)/Moscow Cross-Border E-Commerce High-Quality Product Show in Moscow, Russia (September 2015)[6]
- Chongqing (China)/Moscow Motor Accessories Cross-Border E-Commerce Quality Show in Moscow, Russia (October 2015)
Big Data Center
OConnect, along with its parent company, OSell, processes large amounts of data related to various aspects of the buying and selling process. These are collected thorough mobile and sensor systems placed in its showrooms.[16] Through a related trading information platform, OConnect makes this information accessible to suppliers, who can analyse overseas consumption patterns, including which products are popular.