JD.com, China's largest online direct sales company announced that Liverpool will be the first U.K. football club to launch on JD.com’s cross-border platform, JD Worldwide. The new store gives football fans across China the opportunity to purchase guaranteed authentic merchandise from the club. Liverpool is one of the most popular int'l football clubs in China with over 1.7 million followers on Weibo. The club’s store on JD.com, which goes live May 10, will offer a range of authentic merchandise, including club shirts, men’s and women’s apparel, fashion and sports accessories, and personalized souvenirs. The store will launch at a special event on May 10 in Shanghai featuring former Liverpool players Vladimir Smicer and Patrick Berger (JD.com). REUTERS' Ian Rodricks reported JD.com is Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s "main rival in online shopping in China." Liverpool CCO Billy Hogan said, "Our millions of Reds fans in China are extremely passionate and committed, and we are delighted that they now have quick and convenient access to a wide range of Liverpool FC merchandise on JD.com" (REUTERS, 5/10).
