The Shilla Duty Free (Shilla) has declared itself the first Korean duty free company to adopt direct WeChat Pay capabilities within its official WeChat account.

Chinese customers can now make direct purchases within the WeChat app if connecting to the retailer’s online store from Shilla’s WeChat official account.

Previously, customers could only sign up for membership and participate in event programs. Product purchases also had to occur separately in Shilla’s mobile app.

NEW SERVICE

As a result of this new service, Shilla can provide a one-stop shopping experience for Chinese customers. This is everything from membership sign-up to product purchases within the WeChat app.

In addition, the login status will remain active if logged in from Shilla’s WeChat official account. This eliminates the need for customers to login each time they visit.

Since 2016, Shilla has implemented various marketing programmes such as direct advertisements and promotional events via the WeChat Pay platform.

WeChat is used by 20m businesses and Shilla has been operating its account since 2011. The retailer has used it to send periodic events and product information to its Chinese customers.

To celebrate the launch of the new service, Shilla is providing additional WeChat benefits and rewards for customers who log into Shilla’s online duty free shop through its WeChat official account. In this instance, WeChat Pay will be the only available payment method.

A Shilla spokesperson said: “With this new service, we expect Chinese tourists to have more access to The Shilla Online Duty Free. We will continue to develop customised services that cater to different demographics of people.”