Amazon has launched a cheaper version of its subscription service Prime in China, nearly half as cheap as elsewhere although it also has fewer services.
No streaming
Chinese customers will not be able to access Amazon’s streaming services and free shipping is only valid for items coming from abroad and worth more than 29 dollars. On the other hand, Chinese customers only have to pay 57 dollars (52 euro) because of the limited service, compared to the 99 dollar (90 euro) price for a Prime subscription elsewhere.
Prime’s Chinese launch is yet another one of Amazon’s attempts to gain a foothold in the country dominated by competitor Alibaba. Not only is it nearly impossible to break Alibaba’s hold on the country, JD.com is another competitor to consider in China.
If it can convince customers to get a Prime subscription, Amazon could get a foot in the door, but with the limited service, it remains to be seen whether it can actually do it. Prime is particularly popular in other countries because of its free shipping and its streaming services, exactly what the company is holding back in China.
