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About Alipay & the SOUTH Programme

What is Alipay?

It is a Chinese super app, unlike anything kiwis use in New Zealand.

Alipay is the world’s largest payment platform and has 600 million active users.
Its users pay for many things from street food to luxury items using Alipay instead of cash or credit cards (in fact, only 15% of Chinese adults have credit cards).
But most importantly, they can also search for and discover new businesses wherever they go.
That makes Alipay an effective marketing tool for kiwi businesses. Alipay users planning a trip to New Zealand can search the app for things to do or places to stay when they get there.
What’s more, businesses can offer coupons or exclusive deals which create extra exposure within the app.

 

Why should Kiwi businesses be on Alipay?

Quite simply because those who don’t, are missing out.
Alipay is a global lifestyle super app that can help New Zealand businesses reach the record number of 450,000 Chinese visitors coming to our shores each year.
By becoming an Alipay merchant, kiwi businesses can access the app’s 600 million active users and do business with them at the click of a button.
Christchurch Airport is leading a new project that makes it easy to become an Alipay merchant. Hundreds of businesses have already done so and are reaping the results.

“It has been easy for us to get set up.”
Jake Downing, Weta Workshops

Alipay is a vital tool for New Zealand business

China is now New Zealand’s second largest visitor market with around 450,000 visitors every year spending over $1.2 billion.
60% (and increasingly more) of these visitors are free, independent travellers who research and book their own trip.
Alipay’s Discover platform puts you in front of these travellers.
China is fast becoming a cashless society. They prefer using Alipay.
What’s more they like to use Alipay when they go on holiday too - it’s simple, they trust it.
Every Alipay user will open the app four times a day (on average) while they are in New Zealand. So they are more likely to find and spend with a business on Alipay than one who is not.

Marketing benefits

1. The Discover Platform

The Discover Platform is an area within the Alipay app which travellers use to locate nearby shops and attractions.
Your business is entitled to a listing if you accept Alipay payment.
This listing can include video content, photos, descriptions of your key products and what your business can offer, your business location and contact information.
The Discover Platform puts your business in the hands of these 600 million users.

alipay on phones

2. Coupons and promotions

Your business can run promotions or coupons within the app that are exclusive for Alipay users.
These coupons give your business increased exposure within the app, and drive customers into your store.
Any promotions or coupons that you choose to run will appear on your Discover listing.

3. Alipay funded campaigns

By simply being an Alipay merchant, your business will also be included in the many seasonal campaigns that Alipay runs.
For example, Alipay run a year-round instant cashback promotion for all merchants and users. Simply display the Alipay "Red Packet" QR code and your business is involved.
This is fantastic extra exposure to the Chinese traveler market that you wouldn't otherwise gain - all for free.

Check out the upcoming nationwide Alipay-funded campaign - The Alipay Summer Campaign!

Is it difficult to become an Alipay merchant?

Not at all.  There are many payment solutions ranging from a static QR code at point-of-sale to full integration with your existing Eftpos terminal. All of which are easy to train your staff with - especially because Alipay users are already so familiar with mobile payment.
The South programme will put you in contact with the most appropriate payment solution provider that will suit your business's needs. Our partners include:  

Alipay Acquirer Brand Nest Apr20

What does it cost?

There are no sign up costs and no fixed term contracts to join the South Alipay programme. All merchants pay is a low fee on sales. Many new Alipay merchants are surprised to learn that Alipay's fees are lower than what they pay to accept credit cards.  What’s more, South takes care of all your marketing content set-up (including translation of content into Chinese) and promotion management for free.

“It was a no brainer, we had to be on Alipay – it’s cheaper for us than credit cards.”
Mark Orbell, Ridgeline Adventures

What is the South Programme?

Alipay is the inaugural project under a world first partnership that Christchurch Airport signed with Alipay’s parent company Alibaba (the world’s largest e-commerce retail company).

All of the partnership’s projects are designed to grow the South Island economy and improve the experience that Chinese visitors enjoy when they come to New Zealand.

Becoming an Alipay merchant is simply a stepping stone into a larger opportunity for growing your business within the Chinese FIT market. There will be opportunities for kiwi businesses to join other Alibaba platforms, including Fliggy and Tmall Global.

Fliggy  is Alibaba's online travel platform that has 10 million daily visitors. This has the potential to connect your tourism business to millions of Chinese FIT's.

Find out more about Fliggy  here.

Tmall Global  is Alibaba's online shopping mall that lets kiwi businesses sell their products directly to Chinese consumers - turbocharging micro-exporting.

Find out more about Tmall  here.

Find out more

To find out more about how accepting Alipay and capitalising on its marketing capabilities can help grow your business, follow one of the two links below:

Schedule a free, no-obligation 30-minute call with one of the South Alipay team. During this call you will find out everything you need to know about Alipay and have all your questions answered. Schedule your call now via our online calendar  here.

Complete our enquiry form. A member of the South Alipay team will get back to you within two business days to discuss Alipay with you in more detail. Complete our enquiry form  here.

Start your set-up to become an Alipay merchant online today! Register on the South Alipay marketing portal  hereand you can get started straight away!