FedEx launches manuals to boost e-commerce among small and medium-sized businesses in China, Japan

FedEx announced the release of two new cross-border e-commerce handbooks designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) navigate the complex markets of China and Japan. The initiative aims to equip businesses with the knowledge they need to effectively engage consumers in these two economically important countries.

The playbooks, now available for download, offer comprehensive insight into the unique consumer landscapes of China and Japan. SMEs can expect guidance on geotargeting their products to regions with the most potential buyers, understanding key e-commerce product categories and profiling the local e-commerce markets where businesses are likely to find the most engagement. The playbooks also delve into local consumer habits, marketing strategies and payment and shipping preferences, providing a solid toolkit for any company looking to enter these markets.

Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific at FedEx, explained the motivation behind the initiative. “Finding new customers in international markets is a smart approach for SMEs looking to grow their customer base and revenue. Digital channels lower the barriers to entry, but the best business strategies are based on smart, local market insights. This is key in sectors like e-commerce that move at lightning speed,” Preet said. He also emphasized the importance of local knowledge built over decades of operations in these regions.

Preet expanded on the importance of China and Japan in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that FedEx’s on-the-ground experience gives them a unique perspective that helps e-tailers operate more effectively. “China and Japan are strategically important markets in APAC. We have built our local knowledge based on our decades-long operations, which is a key part of the e-commerce experience. We are also integrated with platforms and processes to provide a seamless experience for both retailers and consumers,” Preet added. This strategic understanding is embedded in e-books designed to help companies build sustainable models that meet local requirements and preferences.

FedEx’s commitment to e-commerce is further demonstrated by integrated solutions that simplify order fulfillment for merchants while ensuring reliable delivery for consumers. The company’s Ship Manager platform has been enhanced to allow online merchants to create shipments and documents directly from online orders, streamlining the shipping process.

In addition, the FedEx network includes 260,000 smart lockers in the Asia Pacific region, providing customers with a range of collection points. In addition, customers can communicate directly with FedEx about their deliveries via WeChat in China and WhatsApp outside China, and can also change delivery locations via FedEx Delivery Manager International.

The new handbooks also shed light on peak shopping seasons and provide SMEs with a calendar of key dates in China and Japan, such as Chinese Valentine’s Day, Singles’ Day, Couples’ Day, Oshougatsu New Year’s Day and Golden Week, to help companies better plan their marketing and inventory strategies to take advantage of these periods of high consumer interest.

With the release of these handbooks, FedEx continues to strengthen its role in empowering international SMEs, particularly in the dynamic and competitive e-commerce space in the Asia-Pacific region. It is expected that the guidance in these resources will help businesses create more tailored and market-specific strategies, potentially fostering greater success in their international ventures.