According to the latest data from Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Commerce, from January to August, Qingdao’s online retail sales saw a robust growth and amounted to RMB158.11bln, a year-on-year increase of 24.2%, which is 11 percentage points higher than the national growth rate, and comprising 32.7% and 1.7% of the total in Shandong Province and in the country, respectively.

Qingdao’s e-commerce development is characterized by the building of e-commerce industry bases. Merely the first half of 2023 saw an increase of three provincial level e-commerce livestreaming bases and five e-commerce supply chain bases in Qingdao. E-commerce bases are on a fast track of transformation towards professional operations, diversified services and building of industry ecosystems. For example, the Qingdao Digital Economy Industry Park for Livestreaming E-commerce has gathered 263 companies and achieved an annual sales of close to RMB1bln as of the end of 2022.

The rapid growth in Qingdao’s e-commerce is mainly attributable to emphasis on competitive industries in the region. Featured industries, such as household appliances in Laoshan, children’s wear and sweater-shirts in Jimo, aquatic products and ornaments in Chengyang, wigs and false eyelashes in Pingdu, have led to distinctive e-commerce parks in Qingdao.  (Ding Qianqian)

The 2023 Shanghe Premium Choice-Silk Road E-commerce Special Commodities Fair.