It’s like QVC – but through a livestream. How US boutiques are reaching customers in China


Sophia Chu, center, talks to the viewers of their live stream called ShopShops is a Chinese start-up that livestreams QVC-style events from American fashion boutiques. (Maria Alejandra Cardona /Los Angeles Times/TNS)

LOS ANGELES: Livestreaming from a showroom in Los Angeles' fashion district, Simi Wu enticed an audience half a world away in China with an offer: The bubbly host said she'd give a discount to anyone who could correctly name the brand of the vintage belt she was wearing. 

Within seconds, one of her 1,600 viewers posted the answer. The green suede strap with the gold horsebit buckle was 1970s Gucci. Wu rewarded the shopper by knocking 5% off the belt's US$198 (RM791) price tag and set it aside to be shipped overseas. Viewers, undeterred by the time difference (it was about 8.30am in China), responded with a deluge of heart and gift emojis over Wu's livestream. 

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

L3Harris raises top end of 2024 adjusted earnings outlook amid global tensions
Microsoft results top Wall Street targets, driven by AI investment
Google parent announces first-ever dividend; beats on sales, profit; shares soar
Health conglomerate Kaiser notifies millions of a data breach
Intel forecast misses estimates; shares tumble
T-Mobile raises forecast for subscriber additions on strength from bundled plans
Snap beats first-quarter expectations, shares jump 25%
Crypto firm Consensys sues US SEC over Ethereum regulation
Warner Bros Discovery to launch data platform for better ad-targeting
Microsoft-backed Rubrik's stock jumps 21% in NYSE debut

Others Also Read