The Alibaba Group and Ispo announced that they are exploring a joint strategic collaboration. As part of this initiative, the 4,000-plus clients of Ispo from all over the world would be given an opportunity to expand their e-commerce operations in China through Alibaba's big B2C marketplace, Tmall. They would benefit from a faster enrollment process to open a Tmall store, giving them access to over 488 million active customers who annually visit its website.
Alibaba also intends to support Ispo by helping to digitize its services, particularly those aimed at the Chinese sports and outdoor market. The two partners will explore potential new cooperation to upgrade the traditional exhibition format with innovative technologies, providing a digitized experience for both retailers and consumers, as Ispo has been trying to do increasingly over the past few years through its multiple internet-based services all year round.
The project will be illustrated at 2 PM on Sunday in the Ispo Digitize Area (Hall A4, 202) by Karl Wehner, Alibaba's managing director for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and Eastern Europe, in the framework of a dialogue with Klaus Dittrich, the chief executive of Messe München.
Meanwhile, as Ispo Beijing has become a victim of its own success, Messe München has decided to move its venue in 2019 to accommodate the demand for additional floorspace. The trade show will switch next year from the China National Convention Center (CNCC) to the larger exhibition space at the New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC).
The 14th edition of the Chinese trade show opened its doors on a strong note on Jan. 24 with a fully booked floorspace, featuring 463 exhibitors and 745 brands, of which more than half were international.
International market leaders such as Fjällräven, Garmin, Head, Marmot, Nordica and Rossignol were present at the fair alongside Chinese brands such as Active Intelligence or Kailas. Exhibitors from Austria, the Czech Republic, France and Switzerland were grouped into national pavilions. Young up-and-coming companies presented themselves in the Startup Village.
The show reflected the growing popularity of sport among the Chinese population, particularly winter sports. The Industry Forum at Ispo Beijing this year was dedicated to the “Sports Towns.” The Chinese government has promoted and funded new sports facilities and resorts away from the megacities as part of a five-year plan for the development of sport in China.
