In today's global e-commerce wave, even the smallest market dynamics can become a key force driving industry transformation.

Amid the global economic uncertainties and challenges of recent years, the French market has shown remarkable resilience and vitality in consumer spending. Although lockdown measures during the pandemic temporarily restricted offline consumption, they unexpectedly accelerated the adoption of online shopping. Post-pandemic, French consumers have increasingly embraced a hybrid model of offline experiences combined with online shopping, leading to a notable recovery in overall purchasing power and presenting new growth opportunities for the e-commerce industry.

Cdiscount's Strategic Expansion with Octopia

According to Ebrun Insights, Cdiscount is one of France's largest local e-commerce platforms, while Octopia is a new business entity launched by Cdiscount. Octopia aims to empower companies of all sizes and backgrounds by providing one-stop marketplace access to the power of e-commerce. Leveraging Cdiscount's experience and culture of innovation, Octopia offers a wide range of services to support sellers’ e-commerce growth both in France and internationally.

Octopia's Comprehensive Service Offerings

Octopia's services include, but are not limited to:

• New Sales Channels: Octopia enables sellers to access millions of new customers not only in France but globally, significantly boosting sales by offering products on new sales channels.
• Overseas Warehousing and Logistics: Octopia provides overseas warehousing services, optimizing logistics and increasing product visibility in the market.
• Professional Logistics Support: This includes order processing, distribution, and even customer relationship management, ensuring a seamless e-commerce experience.
• Cross-border Support for Chinese Sellers: Cdiscount, in collaboration with partners, offers comprehensive support and services to help Chinese sellers enter the European market.

For instance, Cdiscount has partnered with ESG Cross-border E-commerce to establish a local support team in China, enhancing the brand awareness and acceptance of Cdiscount/Octopia in China while providing end-to-end support for Chinese sellers.

Building Unmatched Core Competitiveness

In an increasingly competitive cross-border e-commerce environment, how does Cdiscount leverage its vast seller base, efficient logistics system, and strategic partnerships to build an inimitable core competitiveness?

Exclusive Interview with Cdiscount's Leadership

In this exclusive interview, we spoke with Mr. Romblay, Vice President of Business Development for Octopia at Cdiscount, to gain deeper insights into the company's strategic foresight and stable progress in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape. We explore how Cdiscount navigates industry changes and maintains its leading position through innovative strategies and robust market presence.

Exclusive Interview with Romblay, VP of Business Development at Octopia: Competitive Strategy and Global Expansion of Cdiscount

Q: Can you briefly introduce the Cdiscount platform and its partnership with Octopia?

Romblay:
Cdiscount is one of the largest and most established e-commerce platforms in France, with over 20 years of history. Octopia, on the other hand, is a new business entity launched by Cdiscount to expand its vision and penetrate the European market, leveraging its extensive warehousing experience. Octopia offers a one-stop marketplace access service, helping sellers better integrate into the world of e-commerce.

Q: Amid the global economic slowdown, how do you perceive the current purchasing power in the French market?

Romblay:
Despite global economic challenges, the French market has demonstrated remarkable resilience in consumer spending. During the pandemic, lockdowns restricted offline consumption but accelerated the adoption of online shopping. Now, French consumers are increasingly combining offline experiences with online shopping, leading to a notable recovery in overall purchasing power.

Q: Looking back at 2023 and ahead to 2024, what new consumption trends or lifestyle changes have you observed in the French market? How are they influencing the development of the e-commerce industry?

Romblay:
Consumer habits are evolving. Post-pandemic, consumers have become more cautious before making purchases, moving away from impulsive buying. Additionally, purchasing power influences them to explore different e-commerce platforms, compare prices, and seek better value for money.

• Logistics efficiency and product innovation are now key indicators of e-commerce platform competitiveness.
• Cdiscount excels in both areas, giving us a significant edge over other platforms.

Q: How does Cdiscount maintain steady growth amid increasing competition in cross-border e-commerce? What are its key competitive advantages?

Romblay:

1. Large Seller Base: This gives us a competitive advantage in pricing, making our prices the most attractive in the French market.
2. Efficient Logistics System: Our overseas warehousing ensures fast and reliable logistics, maintaining Cdiscount's high standards as a top-tier platform.

Q: Besides the stronghold in consumer electronics and home furniture, which categories does Cdiscount aim to expand? How will you support and attract Chinese sellers in these categories?

Romblay:

• Tech Products (e.g., electronics, smartphones) are traditional strengths.
• We also collaborate with specialized platforms to enhance category competitiveness. For instance:
  • Backmarket for smartphones and electronics.
  • Bebeboutik, a well-known French baby products platform.
• Cdiscount's unique strategy involves collaborating with 20 to 30 other platforms, creating a comprehensive ecosystem across Europe.

Q: What are Cdiscount’s key advantages over other platforms, beyond price and logistics?

Romblay:

• Advanced AI Technology: Helps sellers quickly distribute products across multiple channels.
• Multi-channel Sales Capability: Reduces sellers' risks and maximizes sales opportunities.

Q: What are Cdiscount’s main strategies for expanding into the Chinese market? What are the future goals?

Romblay:

• Strengthening partnerships with high-quality Chinese sellers.
• Expanding our China team and offering tailored services for Chinese sellers.
• Goal: To attract more Chinese sellers to join the platform and jointly explore the European market.

Q: What defines a “high-quality Chinese seller” on Cdiscount?

Romblay:

• High-quality products at competitive prices, preferably using our overseas warehouses.
• Sellers who leverage China’s supply chain advantages while utilizing Cdiscount’s logistics infrastructure.
• Product innovation is key—categories like robot vacuums and electric scooters are performing exceptionally well.

Q: What resources will Cdiscount invest in the Chinese market to support sellers?

Romblay:

• Expanding the China team to better support Chinese sellers.
• Customized economic policies for new sellers, designed to meet individual needs.
• Strategic Goal: To bring the entire European market to Chinese sellers, simplifying market entry and boosting their growth potential.

Q: What advantages does Cdiscount's “one-click login” feature provide to sellers?

Romblay:

• Faster product listing and circulation.
• Lower barriers to entry, streamlining the process of expanding to multiple platforms.

Q: How does Cdiscount help Chinese sellers adapt to the platform’s unique operational logic and succeed in the French market?

Romblay:

1. Access to the entire European market.
2. Strengthening local partnerships to enhance logistics and customer experience.
3. Expanding the Chinese team to provide better communication and support.
4. Providing better marketing activities to increase store visibility and create bestseller case studies.

Q: What preparations should Chinese sellers make before entering Cdiscount?

Romblay:

• Legally compliant business documentation and a well-thought-out product selection strategy.
• Focus on key metrics:
  • Product presentation and user feedback.
  • Logistics efficiency to enhance the overall customer experience.

Q: How does Cdiscount bridge the cultural, policy, and operational differences between China and Europe, including KYC, taxation, and compliance issues?

Romblay:

• Multi-channel strategy with Octopia: Selling on 20-30 different platforms diversifies risk, unlike relying on a single platform like Amazon.
• Compliance Requirements:
  • Mandatory legal compliance (e.g., 3C certification, packaging regulations).
  • High tax compliance standards in Europe.

Romblay emphasized that Octopia's multi-channel sales strategy significantly reduces risks associated with changes in platform policies, offering Chinese sellers more opportunities and greater revenue potential through diversified sales channels.

Summary

This in-depth interview with Romblay, VP of Business Development at Octopia, reveals Cdiscount's strategic vision and competitive edge in the fast-evolving e-commerce landscape. Through multi-channel expansion, advanced AI technology, and comprehensive logistics solutions, Cdiscount is positioning itself as a dominant player in European e-commerce and a gateway for Chinese sellers to access the European market.