Apple Watch lands on Tmall

Apple’s long-expected smartwatch will soon be available on Alibaba Group's fast-growing online shopping site Tmall.com.The brand has announced it will start presales of Apple Watch on its Tmall.com flagship store on 10 April, with distribution to begin on 24 April.Alibaba has also developed customised mobile apps Mobile Taobao and Alipay Wallet to align with the launch of the new product. The two apps now have more than 80 million and 190 million active users respectively.The rollout of Apple Watch on Tmall.com will further strengthen its position as “a direct sales path” for western brands to reach out the burgeoning China’s e-commerce market.China is one of the highest potential e-commerce markets as its total gross merchandise volume (GMV) recorded RMB12.3 trillion in 2014, according to research company iResearch.The firm also predicts the number will reach RMB 24.2 trillion in 2018.Tmall.com, China’s largest B2C e-commerce platform, has become a critical battlefield.Alibaba said that around 5,400 global brands have so far set up stores on the platform, including Microsoft, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Costco Wholesale as well as Alibaba’s largest competitor, Amazon.