House of Fraser is to bring Chinese brands to the UK, Europe and the rest of the world through a new supply chain management platform operated by its majority owner Sanpower Group.
The global supply chain management platform was launched at the first Sanpower Global Supplier Conference in Nanjing, China today with the aim of creating a pathway through which premium Chinese brands can access the UK and wider markets. This, it says, enhances “House of Fraser’s position as a unique brand platform”. The initiative supports the Chinese Government’s ’Belt and Road’ vision, designed to boost trade and stimulate economic growth across Asia and beyond.
The new Sanpower Supply Chain and Branding Management Centre will run House of Fraser’s trade orders, and promises to increase the breadth and depth of its in-house range while shortening the product development cycle and delivery.
“This is a great platform for premium Chinese products to reach the UK and further afield across Europe,” said Kong Jun, chief executive of Sanpower’s new commerce industry group. “Chinese manufacturing has transformed in recent years from extensive processing and production into a new era marked by independent designs, proprietary brands and innovation. We are excited to use our tremendous network of resources and cross-border retail expertise to bring the best of Chinese retail to the UK market in a way that brings great value to customers and brands alike.”
Simon Pickering, House of Fraser’s UK global product sourcing director, said: “The traditional image associated with Made in China is changing. Increasing numbers of high-quality Chinese products are becoming popular with British and European consumers. Once these products enter House of Fraser’s sales channel, they will be able to access Europe and the greater global market, given quality and credit endorsement from House of Fraser. Furthermore, consolidating our global supply network through made-in-China products and Chinese brands will support House of Fraser in further boosting sales and competitiveness.”
Sun Xiaoqing, chairman of Jiangsu Hongkun Supply Chain Co. Ltd, which is taking part in the Sanpower Global Supplier Conference, said: “Everyone is eager to seize the historic opportunity of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. Many Chinese manufacturers actively seek overseas development, and many Chinese-made products have strong competitiveness in foreign markets.
“In the past, limitations of talent, channels, and costs have made it difficult for a company to develop export business alone. International supply chain platforms like this help to bring together high-quality suppliers with similar needs to form a group. In the future, as these enterprises share their information and data, cross-border and cross-business interconnection will create greater value”.
