SAO PAULO and Tokyo, April 24, 2012 – Rakuten, Inc. (“Rakuten,” JASDAQ: 4755), the largest online shopping mall in Japan, and the third largest operator of online marketplaces in the world, today announced it has officially launched an Internet shopping mall “Rakuten.com.br Shopping” in Brazil, aiming to expand its merchant base to 800 with 2,000,000 items by the end of the year.
Following the June 2011 acquisition of Ikeda (now “Rakuten Brasil,” which also provides a SaaS e-commerce platform), Rakuten Brasil has been building out its capabilities for today's official launch of the Internet shopping mall in Brazil. It will initially be offering products from domestic retailers to Brazilian consumers replicating Japan's Rakuten Ichiba B2B2C marketplace business model. The online shopping mall offers a wide range of merchandise from Brazil’s top retailers, such as Le Postiche, MegaMamute, Playtech and Anna Pegova. Products range from electronics, computers, games, music, books, wines, drinks, fashion and accessories, as well as perfumes, health and beauty.
Brazil boasts the fifth largest population (around 200 million) in the world, as well as the largest number of Internet users in South America, set to surpass 80 million in 2012 (according to Ibope Nielsen). It also has the highest GDP in the region with tremendous e-commerce growth potential. Rakuten aims to be Brazil’s No.1 Internet shopping mall by combining Rakuten’s global e-commerce expertise and Rakuten Brasil’s broad network with major retailers in Brazil.
Rakuten's Chairman and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani commented, “We aim to enrich the lives of the Brazilian people by providing fun, engaging and convenient shopping experiences through our online shopping mall. Rakuten will contribute to the growth of e-commerce in Brazil by empowering merchants and consumers through the power of the Internet.”
Rakuten.com.br Shopping will employ “Rakuten Super Points,” a loyalty rewards system that offers consumers cash back in the form of points on every qualifying purchase, which can be used for future orders on the site. Rakuten’s Internet Shopping Guaranteed Service policy and stringent security standards provide users with the safest Internet shopping experience in Brazil. Looking forward, Rakuten Brasil will provide customers with access to one of the world’s largest e-commerce networks, including Rakuten Group’s e-commerce sites in other countries, such as in Asia, Western Europe, and North America, as along with the flagship business in Japan, Rakuten Ichiba, home to over 38,000 merchants and over 90,000,000 products.
About Rakuten:
Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ:4755), is one of the world’s leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of consumer- and business-focused services including e-commerce, e-reading, travel, banking, securities, credit card, e-money, portal and media, online marketing and professional sports. Rakuten is expanding globally and currently has operations throughout Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 10,000 employees and partner staffs worldwide. For more information, visit https://global.rakuten.com/group.
April 24, 2012
- Rakuten, Inc.