Transaction Trends

Alipay, one of the world’s leading digital payment platforms, today announced the expansion of its in-store mobile lifestyle and payments service to the North American retail market, enhancing the shopping and travel experience for Chinese consumers visiting the U.S. and Canada.

As part of this effort, the Company also announced it is expanding its partnership with DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, to launch Alipay’s in-store mobile payment service in its Honolulu International Airport store as well as its downtown T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii store in advance of the Chinese New Year. DFS Group launched Alipay in its airport stores in SFO, LAX, and JFK in 2016.

“Chinese consumers love to shop when traveling to the U.S. and Canada, but language and payment barriers often complicate the process for many North American retailers,” said Mr. Souheil Badran, President, Alipay North America. “Alipay offers Chinese consumers a familiar and seamless in-store checkout experience, eliminating the need for cash or international credit cards, which often carry high foreign-transaction fees.”

More than three million Chinese consumers are predicted to visit North America in 2017 according to the U.S. Travel Association. By bringing Alipay’s in-store payment solution to the U.S. and Canada, Chinese consumers shopping at North American retailers are given the convenient option to use their Alipay mobile wallet during the checkout process, prompting them in Chinese to approve the transaction in either US dollars or Chinese yuan. As an expansion into a true lifestyle app, Chinese tourists can also use Alipay to easily search restaurants, shop nearby and discover deals, which will ultimately drive business and increase sales for North American merchants.

About Alipay

Alipay is the world’s largest third-party payment platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, with over 450 million active users and 200 financial institution partners. In addition to online shopping payments, money transfer, and utility bill payments, Alipay is expanding to offline payments. Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets and even enjoy a full-scale of wealth management services directly from within the app.