Apple sets up its online store on China’s platform WeChat

Apple Expands its Reach with Official Online Store on China's WeChat Platform

On Tuesday, Tencent's WeChat social media network said that iPhone manufacturer Apple has created a store on its platform, expanding the retail channels of U.S. firms in the world's second-largest economy.

WeChat, China's leading messaging app offering e-commerce, live streaming, and payment services, announced that users can purchase Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs through the shop.

Apple's move comes as Chinese customers increasingly purchase on social media platforms like WeChat and ByteDance's Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok.

Apple already has a store on Alibaba Group's Tmall online marketplace, shops, and website. Apple also attempted live streaming its goods in China for the first time in May, with an hour-long show.

According to Counterpoint Research, China's smartphone sales declined 5% yearly in the first quarter, the country's lowest first-quarter sales total since 2014.

However, Apple earned a 19.9 % share of the Chinese smartphone market during the quarter, its highest since 2014, as it grew sales by 6 % year on year in a falling industry, according to the research company.