A MASSIVE Amazon rival with 600million customers will launch in the UK in just weeks.
The Chinese retailer giant, whose billionaire founder is nicknamed “China’s Jeff Bezon”, hopes to muscle in on the market to target British bargain hunters.
By offering a vast array of products and same day delivery, it is set to take on the likes of internet titan Amazon.
Joybuy,owned by Jingdong – or JD.com – has planned its launch for March.
The £40billion Chinese firmis expected to carry more than 100,000 different lines when it hits the UK market.
Already an online collossus, Joybuy has 700million customers in China.
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Joybuy bills itself on offering “authentic brands built to last”, with a product range including electricals, gaming, food and drink.
Deals and “happy hour” promotions are on the market, with offers including an Oral B electric toothbrush more than half price at £45, and a Daewoo fan heater for £9.99.
The company says it can offer same-day and next-day delivery in major cities by drawing on an “advanced logistics infrastructure”.
Deliveries will also be made by JoyExpress workers in branded uniforms and vehicles, the firm said.
In publicity, it explained: “The JoyExpress fleet includes a range of trucks, vans and electric bicycles, operating from more than 60 warehouses and depots across Europe, a number which will continue to grow as the Joybuy service is rolled out to more cities across the continent.”
JD.com is said to have already established a new 24,000 square feet head office in the heart of Westminster.
And an aggressive hiring spree has seen the company poach senior staff from a range of British retailers.
Founder Liu Qiangdong, who also goes by the name Richard Liu, is worth an estimated £4billion.
He started out by opening an electrical goods shop in 1998 before founding JD.com in 2004.
The move follows a wave of Chinese firms selling direct to UK customers.
Car maker BYD has become one of the fastest growing electric vehicle brands here.