07-11-2006, 07:29 AM
Quote:Taobao...is about to open a real shopping mall...
'TaoBao City' will contain 300 shops and is expected to open in August...
The 12,000 square metre, three-story mall on Shanghai's prestigious Nanjing West Road is operated by a state-owned company which is paying Taobao $1.25m a year to use its name...
Quote:Taobao's motive for backing the mall is part of an experiment to break down the barriers that keep many people away from internet shopping...
The online auction firm, which claims about 20 million members...is concerned that frequent misunderstandings and disputes between buyers and sellers are frightening potential customers away from its online trading service.
Taobao hopes that, by combining online and offline shopping, it can provide a gentle introduction to internet auctions for these customers...
full article: http://www.vnunet.com/2160023