Mobile Payment: WeChat Pay Accepted at BHV Marais
FACTS
- Tencent, the Chinese Web giant behind the messaging service WeChat teams up with BHV Marais, their mobile payment service will be made available by way of celebrating the Chinese New Year. BNP Paribas will be in charge of processing the transactions.
- Goals: Enabling Chinese tourists to pay with their WeChat Pay account in France and gradually reach out for additional locations.
- A smart concept store will also be added this fall in the heart of the Marais district in Paris, rue de Rivoli, on the ground floor.
- This connected store will feature several services inspired by the Chinese Opera, including art performances by Mou Yuandi from the Beijing opera, digital make-up workshop in partnership with Guerlain.
WeChat Pay: Key Figures
- 49 countries in addition to China
- More than 100 smart stores implemented
- Regularly used by more than 800 million people
CHALLENGES
- Add innovative payment options for BHV Marais customers. More than 2.3 million Chinese tourists travelled to France in 2018. Just like other merchants, BHV intends to rely on this growth potential to feature diversified and customised products and services.
- Assist WeChat Pay’s expansion in Europe. The Chinese wallet intends to set up and launch a comprehensive plan to reach out for Europe, and invest more in this project.
- Attract more merchants. WeChat wants to be accepted in well-established, famous stores in each country. Besides Galeries Lafayette and BHV, their mobile payment solution will soon be available in Printemps, Sephora as well as Harrod’s in London.
MARKET PERSPECTIVE
- Tencent has been announcing multiple launches enabling European merchants to meet Chinese customers’ mobility-oriented needs. They also materialise their “One for Billion” campaign, and expand WeChat’s cross-border commerce.
- Their main rival, Alibaba, also launched their mobile payment solution Alipay in France just over a year ago. And they partnered with Natixis to further reach out for France.