Neiman Marcus Group brings Alipay to U.S. stores

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jun 20, 2019

Neiman Marcus Group is bringing the Chinese mobile payment app Alipay to its Neiman Marcus, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Bergdorf Goodman stores. 

The Alipay service is now available at 43 flagship Neiman Marcus stores, two Bergdorf Goodman locations, and 24 Neiman Marcus Last Call stores in the U.S. In addition, company representatives said they intend to launch the app online later this year.

The app’s adoption comes as part of the retail company’s efforts to attract and accommodate Chinese tourists visiting the United States.The number of Chinese consumers traveling overseas for work and leisure continues to rise, and according to a Nielsen report, there were 140 million outbound trips by Chinese tourists last year, marking a 13.5% increase year-over-year. In particular, Chinese spending abroad has been seen to rise during Chinese holidays, such as the Lunar New Year.

Nielsen further reported that more than two-thirds of Chinese tourists used their smartphones to shop abroad last year when the option was available, and nearly 60% of surveyed merchants saw growth in foot traffic and revenue after incorporating Alipay.

Launched in 2004, Alipay is owned by Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial Services Group.

Together with its global joint venture partners, Alipay services one billion users worldwide. In addition to the Neiman Marcus Group retailers, Alipay is also available in the U.S. at select Walgreens locations, at the Pier 39 shopping center in San Francisco, and at 50 Guess stores throughout the country. Outside of the U.S., the app is accepted in Japan, the UK and Germany, among other countries.