![Timing is everything: The crystal ball effect of data](http://ec2-44-226-10-251.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2019-09-03-at-4.16.14-PM-400x518.png)
Timing is everything: The crystal ball effect of data
Whether located in Canada, the U.S., Europe, or elsewhere, brands recognize the massive online retail opportunity China represents. e-commerce platforms such as industry leader Tmall, owned by Alibaba, and its nearest competitor JD continue to drive significant revenue. 2018 saw a 23.90 per cent increase in online retail sales compared to the previous year1. In China, Tmall currently holds a 51.3 per cent share of the Chinese e-commerce market, with JD.com coming in second place with a 32.9 per cent share2. Both platforms offer domestic and global portals for brands with differing cost structures, import and export rules, and licensing requirements.