Tag: yahoo

Yahoo News gets smarter with AI-powered makeover

Yahoo News has recently unveiled a significant update to its news app, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the user experience. This revamp comes after Yahoo’s acquisition of Artifact, an AI-powered news app founded by Instagram’s co-founders. With this update, Yahoo aims to streamline news consumption for its massive user base of over 180 million monthly visitors in the US.

The most notable feature of the updated app is its personalized news feed. Users can select topics and publishers of interest, allowing the AI algorithms to tailor the feed accordingly. Additionally, a “Key Takeaways” feature provides a concise summary of an article’s main points, saving users time by offering a quick overview. This is akin to Artifact’s “Summarize” feature, highlighting the integration of Artifact’s technology into Yahoo News.

Customization options go beyond topic selection. Users can block specific keywords or publishers they wish to avoid, further refining their news consumption experience. A particularly intriguing feature is the app’s ability to identify clickbait headlines. The AI can rewrite misleading, sensationalized, or incomplete headlines to provide more accurate and informative summaries.

Yahoo’s AI-powered enhancements extend beyond the app itself. The company is also revamping its homepage layout, emphasizing top news, personalized recommendations, and real-time trending topics. This updated interface is designed to evolve and adapt over time, promising an ever-improving user experience. Yahoo plans to introduce new AI-powered features gradually, allowing users to opt in and explore these changes as they become available.

The AI-powered update to the Yahoo News app represents a significant step in personalizing news consumption. By leveraging AI algorithms and user preferences, Yahoo aims to deliver a more relevant and engaging news experience. While currently available for mobile users in the US, the update is expected to roll out on desktop platforms soon, further expanding its reach.

It’s worth noting that this integration of AI into news delivery raises questions about the potential for algorithmic bias and the need for transparency in how news is selected and presented. As AI plays an increasingly prominent role in shaping our information landscape, these are important considerations for both news providers and consumers. You can download the new Yahoo News app from the App Store or the Google Play Store.
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June 14, 2024

Vietnamese buy Bitcoin in hope it has bottomed

Many investors are buying Bitcoin after the cryptocurrency’s price fell to US$20,000, its lowest level since December 2020. Thanh Binh of HCMC says he turned off notifications on his crypto trading app after buying it at $38,000 and losing over VND40 million ($1,720).

But he has returned and bought a 10th of a token after prices dropped below $20,000.

“The market has bottomed out and will recover by the end of this year, and so this is the right time for buying in,” he says hopefully.

Hai Ly of the southern province of Dong Nai has invested VND70 million in Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest tokens by market cap. She wanted to diversify her portfolio and thinks their current prices are reasonable.

She says Bitcoin operates in four-year cycles, and prices fall sharply at the end of each cycle before scaling new peaks.

“The current cycle started in January 2019 and ended between May and July this year. Considering other factors, the current crypto slump is not abnormal.”

Prices will recover and hit a new peak by mid-2023, she says.

Many investors see an opportunity in the current fall in cryptocurrency prices though the recent sell-offs wiped billions of dollars from the market.

Search related to Bitcoin has surged to the highest levels in a year according to data from analytical website Google Trends.

Hope is also fueled by rumors that Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange, has quietly bottom fished a large amount of Bitcoin.

Over 100,000 tokens have been added to the exchange’s cold wallet (physical device that keeps cryptocurrency completely offline), crypto-focused site Coingape has discovered from on-chain data.

They amount to 0.5 percent of all mined Bitcoin and are worth over $2 billion at current prices. But CEO Changpeng Zhao denies it, saying the increase “means more users deposited in Binance.”

Money is also coming into crypto-centric investment funds. They have raised over $125 million in the week ended June 6 and $506 million in the year-to-date, asset management company CoinShares reported.

Short-term Bitcoin funds, mainly used for speculating on the cryptocurrency’s slump, received $1.3 million. Bitcoin is being traded the fastest in a year, Yahoo Finance said.

But there are risks associated with bottom fishing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, experts warn.

Le Sy Nguyen, ASEAN regional manager of crypto exchange Bybit, says current prices are not attractive.

The collapse of cryptocurrency Luna and its paired stablecoin Tether, and recent interest hikes in the U.S. have greatly affected market sentiments, with many investors opting out trading on extreme fear.

“Anything can happen in this [volatile] period, which poses great risks to investors who try to benefit from bottom fishing in the short term.”

He says investors should invest for the long term or wait until the market stabilizes. “But no one can be sure whether it has hit bottom.”

The slump could prolong until the end of this year, he says.

The founder of a digital assets startup, who does not want to be named, says it is impossible to give advice on whether to buy or not at the “current sensitive time.”

“It is inappropriate to evaluate digital assets using methods used for stocks, as they do not generate income like companies The number of wallets, users and transactions are key indicators of this market.”

June 27, 2022

Yahoo! Hong Kong quits online commerce space

Yahoo! Hong Kong is to close its commercial operations, including Yahoo! Auctions, Yahoo! Store, and Yahoo! Group Buy.

The company posted a message in Chinese on its website yesterday, announcing the move.

Yahoo! Hong Kong said the decision reflected a “strategic directional change” and said new shopping experiences will come.

Citing “fierce competition”, the platform will suspend buying and selling features on March 24 and close on May 31. Until then, transaction history, past communications and other relevant data can be downloaded for users.

The peer-to-peer marketplace Yahoo! Auction has been running for more than 20 years, and was considered a pioneer of Hong Kong’s e-commerce scene by many. Throughout the decades, several Yahoo! Auctions marketplaces have been terminated around the world, but the concept found success in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, until now. Only the latter two will continue to operate for now.

February 13, 2020

Yahoo launches new Mail app for Android and iOS

Yahoo is desperately trying to become relevant once again. We’re not sure how many people still own a Yahoo email account, but it looks like the company has just unveiled a brand new logo and a new Yahoo Mail app.

The new app is available for Android and iOS users starting today and brings some important changes over the previous one. First off, it will allow users to customize their push notification to highlight the type of mail they want to be alerted of, as well as personalize the Yahoo Mail inbox with custom color themes and sounds.

The new Yahoo Mail app comes with a new view that lets users access all their attachments, including travel documents, tickets, photos, and essential files. There’s another view for subscriptions that allows users to browse shopping emails and unsubscribe from any newsletter with a single tap directly within the app.

Also, you’ll now have three separate types of deal that you can view in different tabs: Deals View, Location View (iOS only) and Grocery View. Finally, the app will highlight timely updates like package tracking, travel info, or a deal that’s close to expiring (iOS only).

If you still trust Yahoo to keep your emails, you can now download the new Mail app for iPhone and Android via App Store and Google Play.

October 7, 2019

Yahoo Japan my be bought by Zozotown

Yahoo Japan reportedly has plans to buy the owner of Zozotown, the country’s largest online fashion retailer, before expanding the business to take on e-commerce heavyweights Rakuten and Amazon.

According to Nikkei, Yahoo Japan wants to buy a majority of the retailer’s shares and then convert it to a subsidiary operation but will retain its stock-exchange listing. Zozo has a market capitalization of US$6.28 billion.

Zozo’s founder and CEO Yusaku Maezawa currently owns 30 percent of the company. Nikkei reports he is in favor of the deal and plans to step down from day to day management.

September 25, 2019

Verizon Media unveils Hong Kong expansion plans

Verizon Media has announced an aggressive expansion program for Hong Kong for the next 180 days and the year ahead, including the expansion of its Yahoo Studio in the market.

The studio will be equipped with audio-visual production equipment for creating HD videos with virtual settings and advanced motion capture capabilities to deliver broadcaster grade production.

The studio produces Yahoo TV live programs including celebrity talk shows and Engadget Updates.

“The new studio can unleash video creativity, enabling us to produce more live programs, HD videos with 3D virtual settings, and e-commerce shows,” said Lorraine Cheung, head of audience at Verizon Media. Live programs include finance, tech, lifestyle, and entertainment programs.

Cheung said the company will unveil its first virtual character this July. The virtual character will not only be a Yahoo KOL but also a co-host of Yahoo’s homegrown TV programs. “The character aims to enhance overall user experience via more fun interaction, turning media into a two-way conversation.”

In addition, Verizon Media is bringing its new Yahoo Rewards membership program to Hong Kong. The program will allow users to earn points with their daily online engagement such as polling, following groups, e-shopping, and content consumption on Yahoo App.

The company plans to roll out a Good Deeds Good Life campaign to the app, which will allow users to earn points by engaging in social causes that benefit the community.

Verizon Media recently unveiled a first-of-its-kind virtual reality advertising offering for demand-side platform users, which aims to help advertisers seamlessly extend existing display and video assets into VR environments.

“We see huge potential in AR and VR technology on improving engagement of ad and branded content. Our focus is to introduce the technology and facilitate the market adoption.” Verizon Media Hong Kong senior director for APAC ad creative technology Roger Li said.

Verizon Media, a division of Verizon, was renamed from Oath in 2019. “The purpose of Verizon Media is to transform how people stay informed and entertained, communicate, and transact,” said Rico Chan, managing director of Verizon Media Hong Kong, Japan and INSEA. “The company’s priorities include growing our member-centric ecosystem, building brands B2B customers love and trust, as well as videofy our brands and platforms.”

June 13, 2019

Yahoo Japan mulls move into virtual currencies

Yahoo Japan Corp. is considering entry into the virtual currency exchange business, according to sources. Via a subsidiary, the company is planning to buy a stake in bitARG Exchange Tokyo, a Tokyo-based exchange operator registered with the Financial Services Agency.

Blockchain technology, which is the basis of virtual currencies, is expected to be applied across various business fields. Yahoo Japan is apparently aiming to enter the virtual currency exchange business as soon as possible by forming a capital tie-up with a registered exchange operator.

The subsidiary is YJFX Inc., a financial futures trading company wholly owned by Yahoo Japan. The investment could be decided as early as in April.

March 27, 2018

Aeon, SoftBank, Yahoo Japan team up

Aeon and Yahoo Japan have not had tremendous success with their own e-commerce ventures, according to the report.

Softbank’s IT prowess is seen as key to enabling Aeon to make the most of its brick-and-mortar assets in a retail sector quickly evolving as customer data and technologies such as artificial intelligence are leveraged to create better, more personalized shopping experiences.

A teaming of these companies could also help Aeon keep up with the trend toward rolling out cashierless or unmanned stores, while helping Yahoo Japan become a more formidable, competitive e-commerce player.

As with many strategic alignments between brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retailers, this potential partnership is being seen as an attempt to build an alliance worthy of challenging the international Goliath Amazon, which has set its sights on expanding in Japan.

Physical retailers and e-commerce companies in other countries are becoming especially sensitive to Amazon’s threat as it continues to expand e-commerce interests internationally while also building up a brick-and-mortar presence through efforts like physical bookstores, Amazon Go and Whole Foods.

As the largest retailers in many countries prepare for inevitable war with Amazon, as well as one another in some cases, there are two priorities. One is to become even larger and broader through partnership, acquisition or strategic investment. The other is to have solid footholds in both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar.

Aeon, Softbank and Yahoo Japan are not the only ones evolving with these priorities in mind. We already have seen significant efforts from some of the world’s largest retailers and e-commerce players to do the same. For example, Walmart recently aligned with Japan’s Rakuten. China’s JD.com has been looking to expand into the U.S. and Europe, and fellow Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is aggressively investing in brick-and-mortar retail firms.

By getting together in one way or another, Aeon and Yahoo Japan in particular may be looking to strengthen what have been weaknesses in their respective retail and e-commerce strategies, but they also would be positioned to play the game at a whole new level — that of a retail superpower fit to tackle new opportunities at home and abroad.

March 5, 2018

Yahoo signs off, completes sale to Verizon

Yahoo’s chief executive Marissa Mayer resigned as Verizon finalized the $4.48 billion deal. Internet pioneer Yahoo ended its two-decade run as an independent company on Tuesday, completing the sale of its core online assets to telecom giant Verizon.

Yahoo’s chief executive Marissa Mayer resigned as expected, as Verizon finalized the $4.48 billion deal integrating the Yahoo internet operations into a new unit called Oath, which includes another former sector leader, AOL.

Tim Armstrong, former CEO of AOL, now holds the same title at Oath, a division in Verizon’s Media and Telematics organization.

“We’re building the future of brands using powerful technology, trusted content and differentiated data,” Armstrong said in a statement.

“We have dominating consumer brands in news, sports, finance, tech, and entertainment and lifestyle coupled with our market leading advertising technology platforms. Now that the deal is closed, we are excited to set our focus on being the best company for consumer media, and the best partner to our advertising, content and publisher partners.”

Verizon has made no indication of how it will use the Yahoo brand — which is used by over a billion people worldwide — but indicated it is keeping the names Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Mail and more.

Some reports have said more than 1,000 jobs would be eliminated as a result of the merger, but statements from Yahoo and Verizon on Tuesday made no mention of any cuts.

Yahoo’s sale caps a long decline from when it had a peak market value of some $125 billion in 2000.

The original Yahoo group now becomes a holding company with stakes in Chinese internet giant Alibaba and Yahoo Japan.

On Friday, it will change its name to Altaba Inc. and on Monday begin trading under the ticker symbol “AABA.”

Mayer, who was unable to stem the decline of the iconic Silicon Valley company, is getting a departure package worth an estimated $186 million, according to regulatory filings.

June 15, 2017

Amazon Japan is second biggest foreign market after Germany

Online retail giant Amazon has revealed Germany was its biggest market outside the U.S. in 2016. However, Japan, coming in second for total country sales, experienced the most percentage growth last year, up double-digits on the back of heavy investment in distribution and the increase of China-focused tactics.

On a US dollar basis, Amazon Japan sales leapt 30% in 2016 to US$10.7 billion (¥1.16 trillion). Amazon Germany gained just under 20% and the UK by 5.6%. US sales rose 28%. As a result Japan has moved ahead of the UK to become the U.S. giant’s second biggest overseas market.

It’s also the first time a foreign firm has surpassed ¥1 trillion in Japan, making Amazon the most successful international retailer to operate in the archipelago nation.

While Yahoo and Rakuten serve as rival platforms in the local market, Amazon Japan’s strong investment in its own distribution centre network is paying off. Amazon Japan has 12 centres and four Prime Now centres, making it easy for the e-tailer to sell directly via its marketplace vendors.

Amazon Japan has also managed to poach talent from other consumer goods businesses, since its debut in 2000.

On a consumer level globally, the Amazon brand sits favourably. Some 67% of Amazon’s sales came from direct sourcing last year and 17% from third party vendors on Amazon Marketplace, according to a recent survey.

And Amazon is winning across lifestyle and fashion categories.

“The biggest-selling categories have been books, health and beauty, baby products and kitchen appliances,” Jasper Cheung, president of Amazon Japan, told Bloomberg.

Cheung was speaking to media as Amazon revealed this week its website in Japan will start accepting UnionPay cards, in an effort to sell more merchandise to Chinese shoppers across Asia. In 2016, Amazon Japan launched a Simplified Chinese-language version of its website, as the volume of mainland Chinese shoppers continues to rise in Japan, up 500%, according to Cheung.

Meanwhile, e-commerce demand from China to Japan alone is projected to almost triple to 2.34 trillion yen ($22.5 billion) in 2019, according to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

March 24, 2017

Infinera to interconnect Yahoo Japan’s Osaka DCs

Yahoo Japan has selected Infinera Cloud Xpress to interconnect its data centers in Osaka. The Cloud Xpress enables Yahoo Japan to interconnect data centers with hyper-scale density, operational simplicity and low power consumption.

Working closely with Infinera partner Itochu Techno-Solutions, Yahoo Japan deployed the Infinera Cloud Xpress to address the need for more capacity. Itochu Techno-Solutions provides Yahoo Japan with IT and data center maintenance services. Yahoo Japan has now deployed the Cloud Xpress and Infinera XTM Series in its metro networks.

With the Cloud Xpress, Yahoo Japan benefits from Infinera’s photonic integrated circuit technology which delivers a 500 Gbps super-channel over 150 kilometers without additional multiplexers and amplifiers.

The Cloud Xpress incorporates Infinera’s Instant Bandwidth technology to allow customers to software-activate line-side bandwidth in 100 Gbps increments as and when needed.

In addition, the Cloud Xpress is designed for plug-and-play installation with simplified provisioning and support for data center automation using open SDN APIs.

“The compact design, ease of use and scalability of Cloud Xpress and the XTM Series stand out in metro data center interconnect applications where data center operators need to grow capacity rapidly while minimizing the cost of space and power,” Infinera VP of regional sales for APAC Andrew Bond-Webster said.

The Infinera Cloud Xpress Family is designed to deliver cloud-optimized wavelength division multiplexing solutions to cloud service providers, internet content providers, Internet Exchange service providers, enterprises and other large-scale data center operators.

The Cloud Xpress Family offers customers the choice of 10 GbE, 40 GbE and 100 GbE client interfaces to meet their specific requirements. Infinera recently introduced the Cloud Xpress 2 based on the Infinite Capacity Engine, scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2017.

February 26, 2017

Alibaba making moves to buy ShopClues

Chinese internet giant Alibaba has been discussing the acquisition of Indian online marketplace ShopClues, which is valued at more than US$1 billion.

Alibaba wants to merge the marketplace of Paytm, in which it has a stake, with larger rival ShopClues, reports The Times of India. The newspaper says Alibaba has several acquisition targets as it aims to firm up its presence in India against Amazon.

Based in Gurgaon, ShopClues has raised about $250 million with investors including GIC of Singapore, Helion, Nexus Venture Partners and Tiger Global. It is positioned as an online flea market, selling cheaper and mostly unbranded merchandise.

Former Zynga and Yahoo executive K Guru Gowrappan, who has been mandated to chart Alibaba’s growth in Asian markets (excluding China), is driving the merger-and-acquisition talks with the senior management of ShopClues, sources say.

Meanwhile, Alibaba group, which holds a stake of about 40 per cent in Paytm, has started the process to separate the Noida-based company’s core payment business and smaller commerce business into two separate entities.

August 23, 2016

Yahoo woos Hong Kong with new online store

Yahoo Hong Kong announced in January the official opening of the Yahoo Store, its key project for e-commerce in 2016.

Within the year, the tech firm said it expects to feature 500 stores offering as many as 100,000 products. As it is today, Hong Kong’s online shoppers can already buy from a wide selection of over 20,000 products from more than 100 businesses on online shopping mall.

Rico Chan, Vice President & General Manager, Yahoo Hong Kong & INSEA Sales, said the company has already made a considerable effort in the area of e-commerce for netizens to experience a new experience on Yahoo Shopping.

These efforts include setting up a strong team to bring fashion items, mobile accessories, stationery and other articles for daily use to Hong Kong’s online shoppers.

“The Yahoo Shopping platform provides one-stop shopping convenience and operates all day long every day, without time or geographical limits. Merchants can use innovative multimedia promotion methods to tailor marketing plans for their brands, and embrace the fast-changing opportunities,” he said.

The site also offers original brands and entrepreneurs who are eager to join the platform advice and analyses on setting up online stores for businesses so that they can open their stores easily and quickly.

Horace Ng, Head of E-Commerce, Yahoo Hong Kong, said they aim to turn Yahoo Hong Kong’s e-commerce platform into the strongest local online shopping mall, through integrating e-commerce service strategies, ad hoc Yahoo Deals and Auctions of rare second-hand products over the long term in the online Yahoo Store.

“Yahoo has been working hard to drive its Mavens strategy, focusing on six major pillars: mobile, audience, video, e-commerce, native and social,” added Chan.

The Yahoo executives said the store has a strong content base, including Product promotion using multimedia – (sellers can place multimedia files such online videos on their product introduction pages to offer richer and more concrete product information to buyers); Sellers training (classes offer guidance on sellers’ photo management and design skills) and Multi-channel exposure for sellers’ products (brand promotion and product marketing through Yahoo Shopping’s social platform).

During the trial run the store, it offered a 25 percent purchase rebate through e-code redemptions, which attracted feedback, web traffic and customer reaction.

Yahoo has been operating in Hong Kong for 17 years and has always been supportive of the development of local artistic creations, actively utilizing its influence to support outstanding local young artists and creators in exploring and making the most of the business opportunities.

This year, it has collaborated with local, original illustration brand Pandaluv to launch an O2O (Online-to-Offline) experimental project.

Pandaluv created a series of Yahoo Store X Pandaluv limited edition products for the Chinese New Year period, including cushions, a canvas bag and baggage tags, among other items, selling in advance on Yahoo Deals and allowing fans to redeem the limited-edition products at Stall No. 021 during the Lunar New Year Fair in Victoria Park.

“Pandaluv can reach a lot of netizens who support local creations through the strong online e-commerce platform, Yahoo Shopping, and more netizens can learn about my company,” said Pandaluv Founder, Famous Cartoon Illustrator Toby Yeung.

Last year, he said the brand published illustrations through Tumblr Creator Hub, which attracted many loyal fans to create accounts and follow the brand.

“We made contact with quite a few partners, gaining many business opportunities, helping Pandaluv to shift from being an artistic creation success towards an art business startup,” Yeung added.

February 27, 2016

Yahoo co-founder joins Didi Kuaidi as adviser

Didi Kuaidi has appointed Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang as a senior adviser to the ride-hailing app firm as it battles Uber Technologies for market share in China.

Mr Yang, an independent director of Alibaba Group which backs Didi Kuaidi, will also be an observer on the board, the company said in a statement yesterday.

Mr Yang’s new positions at Didi Kuaidi add another link in the web of relations between the Chinese ride-hailing company and its investors, Alibaba and Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp.

Mr Yang, Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son all sit on the board of Alibaba.

SoftBank was also an early investor in both Yahoo and the Chinese e-commerce behemoth, and the three men maintain close ties.

Their “bromance” has now been extended to Didi Kuaidi, the biggest ride-hailing rival to Uber.

SoftBank also owns stakes in other ride-hailing services that have forged a global anti-Uber alliance, namely India’s Ola and South-east Asia’s GrabTaxi. Didi Kuaidi and Alibaba also own stakes in the US arm of this faction, Lyft.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta yesterday, Uber said it has received the green light to operate in the Indonesian capital after giving assurances that it would comply with local tax rules and other requirements.

Jakarta police had earlier this year deemed the US car-hailing service illegal, saying its drivers did not pay the correct taxes and the company did not have the licence needed to operate as a form of public transport.

In a statement, Uber said it is working with the office of the city’s governor, Mr Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, and Indonesia’s investment coordinating board to establish itself as a legal entity in Indonesia, pay taxes, have adequate insurance and ensure its “partner vehicles” undergo regular inspection.

“Previously there was tremendous regulatory ambiguity,” Uber spokesman Karun Arya said. “Governor Ahok has now provided clear direction for Uber in terms of specific requirements for Uber and other ride-sharing platforms to operate and thrive in Jakarta.”

Uber has registered with Indonesia’s investment coordinating board as a technology or Web company, Mr Arya added. There was no immediate comment from the Jakarta governor’s office.

In Indonesia, Uber also operates in Bali and Bandung.

Privately owned Uber has grown aggressively worldwide with its matchmaker service for drivers and passengers, but a lack of regulation for the relatively new business model has brought it to the attention of the authorities.

December 9, 2015

New Yahoo Hong Kong-Taiwan cross-border eCommerce platform

Yahoo Hong Kong has launched its Yahoo Hong Kong-Taiwan cross-border eCommerce platform today.

In the first stage, more than 100 Taiwanese brands accredited with the Made in Taiwan Smile Logo will enter the Hong Kong market – in categories ranging from food to fashion and to beauty and cosmetics.

Stage two will see Yahoo adding Hong Kong products for sale into Taiwan.

Yahoo says it wants to create the largest cross-border eCommerce network between the two markets.

Jacky Wang, VP, eCommerce group, Yahoo Taiwan & Hong Kong said that with the launch of the new platform, geographical boundaries are eliminated.

“We are delighted to bring Hong Kong consumers the best, original quality products of Taiwan through the 11.11 Online Shopping Festival. This allows e-merchants from both places to reach the huge online buying customer base, which is extremely beneficial to them in increasing sales and for online branding.

“Yahoo Hong Kong’s B2B2C Flagship store will start operating this month, through which Hong Kong consumers can purchase a wide variety of Made In Taiwan products on the platform,” said Wang.

“Soon, Taiwan consumers will also be able to purchase Hong Kong’s popular products, such as cookies and palmiers which are popular with Taiwanese.”

All of the more than 100 Taiwanese e-merchants joining the Yahoo Hong Kong eCommerce platform are selling 100 per cent original, Made In Taiwan Smile logo-accredited quality brands. These include Dr Morita facial masks, Taiwan’s famous pineapple cake brand SunnyHills and other brands, including meat jerky, tea leaves and noodles.

The e-merchants crossing the border to Hong Kong with Yahoo will receive all-round cross-border one-stop merchant solutions from Yahoo Taiwan and Yahoo Hong Kong. These range from a special starter package to support for logistics, cash flow and store operations and management, offering detailed guidance to help their brand to take the initial step in cross-border eCommerce, and satisfying the expectations of the online shoppers in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

SunnyHills has sold more than 10,000 boxes of cakes online into Hong Kong this year already.

Damian Lee, GM, said Yahoo Hong Kong and Taiwan have the highest reach rates and Yahoo’s online shopping platform is the best one in Taiwan.

“With the largest volume of traffic flow and the highest popularity, it offers us the best virtual support for our products and backing for our brand. It also provides one-stop logistics and cash flow solutions that lower our cross-border costs and management time, offering the best O2O eCommerce shopping experience to consumers in the most effective way.”

What Hongkongers and Taiwanese want

Francis Che, head of insights, strategy and research with Yahoo APAC shared the latest eCommerce promotion and analysis research.

Hong Kong has an online buying population of 2.9 million, representing 53 per cent of the total online population.
74 per cent of Hongkongers have used overseas buying services, or overseas cargo or shipping services to buy products from all over the world.
Over 30 per cent of the online buying population hopes that online buying apps can proactively notify them of the offers and discounts of nearby stores and recommend some stores for purchases.
The older buying population (aged 40 plus) use mobile devices to browse online shopping sites is growing rapidly.
The most sought after items purchased online in both markets is the same: Apparel. For the full top 10 list, refer to the chart below:

Meanwhile, Yahoo Hong Kong will launch the 11.11 Online Shopping Festival offers on November 11, including the sale of an Oto Adelle One Massage Chair at just $999 (Value: $14,800), with the Oto Lite Footie (Value: $1680) bundled together as a gift.

November 17, 2015