Reasons to Read

Chinese Internet giant Tencent is focusing on the business-to-business space through its “Smart Retail” concept—the company’s answer to Alibaba’s New Retail. We explore Tencent’s Smart Retail ecosystem, covering the following key components:

• Social app WeChat and the power of mini programs for businesses
• Online and offline retail expansion by partnership and investment, including JD.com as the online retail pioneer and as an extended retail arm for Tencent
• Mobile payment and facial-recognition solutions
• The exploitation of Tencent’s strength in the gaming and entertainment sectors
• Using cloud and AI technologies to empower businesses