Google Plugs $550 Million Into China's Second-Largest E-Commerce Site

Google will invest $550 million in JD.com, China’s second-largest e-commerce site behind Alibaba, in a strategic partnership to reach Asia-Pacific consumers who are “ready to buy, but hard to please,” blogged Karim Temsamani, Google president-Asia-Pacific operations. The companies will explore new ways retailers can make shopping “effortless” and personalized for consumers, he said. JD.com will join Google Shopping and bring products to consumers in regions worldwide, Temsamani said. Asia-Pacific is one of the largest and fastest growing e-commerce markets, said the executive, with people in southeast Asia expected to spend $88.1 billion online annually by 2025.