Despite of the rise of new domestic brands in the past few years, foreign brands still enjoy huge reputational advantages in sectors where product quality or safety are top considerations, said Jacob Cooke, CEO of e-commerce consultancy WPIC Marketing + Technologies.
Cooke said this did not reflect a domestic dominance of the entire market, though, as JD.com is especially strong in high-value consumer electronics such as computers and smartphones, where Chinese makers have long held sway in the local market.