[E-marketing] Case5 Jewellworld.com -- Question 1

1.    What factors are favorable/unfavorable to the development of Jewellworld.com’s B2B platform?

Ans:

Jewellworld.com is the first mover of B2B platform in jewellery industry.  There are some favorable factors to stimulate its development, but some unfavorable ones are needed to be overcomed.

 

1)   The favorable factors (opportunities):

i.               To bring buyers and sellers together online.

ii.             To meet potential partners.

iii.            To gather business contacts

iv.           Jewellery is mature and informational product, which is easy to adjust the designs and features through Internet.

v.             To place orders online no matter what time and area it is.

vi.           Most small jewellery retailers in Hong Kong did not have security surveillance systems. Jewellworld acts as expert in setting up a security surveillances system for jewellers.

vii.          Jewellery is experience goods, and Hong Kong is the best transaction platform.

 

2)   The unfavorable factors (threats):

i.               The jewellery industry in Hong Kong is very traditional.  Only half of the Jewellworld members were avid users of the B2B platform.

ii.             Some members didn’t even have the computer.

iii.            Some members didn’t know how to take and upload the electronic photos of their products.

iv.           Given the keen competition in the industry, some felt strongly that design was the only competitive edge they had, and they didn’t want their designs to be copied too quickly by others.