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Rakuten's Buy.com(R) Opens its Online Marketplace to Nearly 70 Million Customers in JapanALISO VIEJO, Calif. and TOKYO, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- In a move marking Tokyo-based Internet service company Rakuten's accelerated global approach to e-commerce, Buy.com(R) today announced it will offer international shipping of Buy.com marketplace products to Japan, opening up sales opportunities for Buy.com's U.S. third-party retailers to the nearly 70 million customers who shop at "Rakuten Ichiba" - Japan's largest online mall. To launch the Easy International Forwarding service to Japan, Buy.com is currently offering more than 20,000 consumer electronics, computer, wine and household essentials products at http://import.buy.com. Japanese customers will enjoy discounted prices on Buy.com marketplace goods, with the exchange rate automatically calculated upon checkout. Rakuten Group, which includes branches of Buy.com and PriceMinister, owns multiple e-commerce sites in 11 countries and regions and has announced expansion plans for 27 total countries and regions, which will open additional sales opportunities for third-party retailers through the Easy International Forwarding service. In addition, Buy.com plans to make millions of additional marketplace categories and products available to all countries in the future. "With Easy International Forwarding, our U.S. manufacturing and retail partners now have access to an enormous new customer base, and customers in Japan will benefit with access to products they can't find locally," said Neel Grover, CEO and president of Buy.com. The Easy International Forwarding platform will be available in the coming weeks as an option for Buy.com's thousands of third-party retail partners, and includes: One-time seamless integration - Buy.com utilizes exportable product listings, which in turn feeds orders back to sellers Customer service inquiries are translated/facilitated by Buy.com No additional fees for international shipping based on sales - no setup/listing fees or cost-per-clicks (CPCs) Marketplace products are eligible for the "Rakuten Super Points" program, Japan's most-preferred loyalty program, which is widely used by Rakuten's nearly 70 million members No need for a remote branch or international inventory Alternate international freight service through Utah-based Access Technology Solution "Rakuten and Buy.com have a shared vision of borderless commerce - to enable consumers anywhere to easily buy products sold by merchants in other countries," said Hiroshi Mikitani, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten. Across Asia, Rakuten has established itself as an e-commerce powerhouse, empowering merchants to build personal relationships with their customers through its Rakuten Ichiba approach, which combines shopping and entertainment. From now until Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10 a.m. Japan standard time, Rakuten Ichiba customers who spend more than 5,000 yen through the Buy.com store will earn 1,000 Rakuten Super Points, good toward payment on future purchases. To learn more, visit http://import.buy.com. About Buy.com With more than 18 million customers, Buy.com is a leading retail marketplace, focused on providing its customers with a great shopping experience and a broad selection of retail goods at everyday low prices. Buy.com offers millions of products in a range of categories, including consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, cell phones, books, music, DVDs, games, toys, bags, fragrance, home and outdoor, baby, jewelry, shoes, apparel and sporting goods. Founded in June 1997, Buy.com is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Buy.com is owned by Rakuten, Japan's leading Internet Company. Together, Rakuten and Buy.com represent one of the world's largest online retail marketplaces, offering consumers more than 70 million products from more than 35,000 merchants around the globe. Buy.com(R) and The Internet Superstore(TM) are trademarks of Buy.com Inc. About Rakuten Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ: 4755), is one of the world's leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of consumer and business-focused services including e-commerce, travel, banking, securities, credit card, e-money, portal & media, online marketing and professional sports. Rakuten is expanding globally and currently has operations throughout Asia, Western Europe and North America. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo and has over 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://global.rakuten.com/group/. SOURCE Buy.com |